Wetting Modification by Photocatalysis: A Hands-on Activity To Demonstrate Photoactivated Reactions at Semiconductor Surfaces

We present a hands-on activity designed for advanced physical chemistry courses for Master’s students on the application of photocatalysis to the modification of the surface properties of a semiconductor (titanium dioxide). The wetting properties of TiO2 films, deposited from commercial powders, are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2018-12, Vol.95 (12), p.2216-2221
Main Authors: Rimoldi, Luca, Taroni, Tommaso, Meroni, Daniela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
College students
Hydrophilicity
Hydrophobicity
Irradiation
Motion pictures
Organic chemistry
Photocatalysis
Photodegradation
Physical chemistry
Properties (attributes)
Semiconductors
Students
Surface properties
Titanium dioxide
Ultraviolet radiation
Wetting
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Summary:We present a hands-on activity designed for advanced physical chemistry courses for Master’s students on the application of photocatalysis to the modification of the surface properties of a semiconductor (titanium dioxide). The wetting properties of TiO2 films, deposited from commercial powders, are studied before and after UV irradiation. Irradiation-induced superhydrophilicity is exploited to provide antifogging properties. The TiO2 films are then functionalized with a perfluorinated alkylsilane to impart superhydrophobicity and subsequently lithographed by irradiation through a photomask: the photocatalytic degradation of the organic chains in the irradiated areas leads to a wetting contrast that can be revealed using dye solutions. This experience can be easily adapted to be suited for undergraduates or high-school students as well as to demonstrations for science festivals.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b00362