TiO2 porous films were prepared on ITO coated glass slides by the sol-gel dip-coating method assisted with Polyethylene glycol (PEG). The films were used as photo-anodes in the photo-assisted electrolytic removal of cuprous ions in cyanide media. These were characterized by SEM, UV-Visible spectroscopy and XRD. The PEG modified films were free of cracks and developed a porous structure after heat treatment at 500 ºC, due to the thermal decomposition of the structure associated PEG. It was demonstrated that the photo-assisted electrochemical reduction of copper is promoted by the use of modified TiO2 films as photo-anodes, thanks to the greater surface area given by the PEG decomposition. However, the film thickness was found to be a critical factor in the process, to such an extent that films composed of 5 layers were completely inefficient, meaning that despite the open porosity, multilayered films acted as a barrier within the photo-electrolytic process.

Titanium dioxide porous thin films on the Anatase phase were deposited onto glass slides by the sol-gel method assisted with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The dip-coated films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG), UV-visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of the films was determined by means of methyl-orange oxidation tests. The resultant PEG-modified films were crack-free and developed a porous structure after calcination at 500 °C. Photo-oxidation tests showed the dependency of catalytic activity of the films on the number of layers (thickness) and porosity, i.e. of the interfacial area.