Anatase/Rutile TiO2 composite thin films prepared via dip coating technique and their hydrophilicity, stability and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixed-phase powders were prepared by sonochemical process in combination with calcination at different temperature in range of 400C to 1000C. The as-prepared powders were dispersed with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as supported matrix of TiO2 for homogeneous colloid and used as starting precursor for thin film coating. The designated thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by dip coating process. X-ray diffraction technique was employed to evaluate TiO2 phase ratio meanwhile the film morphologies and hydrophilicity were investigated using scanning electron microscope and water contact angle, respectively. UV-Vis spectrophotometer was used to analyse the photcatalytic properties of the films. Photocatalytic activity of the prepared film was performed by mean of the decolorization of Rhodamine B dye solution under solar irradiation. The photocatalytic performance of assigned films was investigated and correlated mechanisms responsible for the activity are discussed.