Preparation of large scale photocatalytic TiO2 films by the sol-gel process

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2010-10, Vol.205 (2), p.251-257
• Main Authors: LOPEZ, L, DAOUD, W. A, DUTTA, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Borosilicate glasses; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Degradation; Exact sciences and technology; Illumination; Irradiance; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Monitors; Morphology; Photocatalysis; Physics; Production techniques; Scanning electron microscopy; Sol-gel processes; Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2010.06.028

Nanocrystalline titania films were formed on frosted and clear borosilicate glass with a large surface area (12 x 22 cm) using doctor blade and spray coating techniques. The films were subjected to a high temperature treatment at 550 C. XRD indicated that the TiO2 films contained only the anatase phase. Optical microscopy was used to determine the morphology changes after the deposition of each layer. SEM was used to study the films surface morphology. The large scale TiO2 films produced showed a high photocatalytic activity which was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in aqueous solution (10 mg /L) under UV illumination with an overall irradiance of 0.9 mW/cm2. UV-VIS spectrophotometry was used to monitor the degradation of MO through the decrease of the main absorbance peak at 464 nm. The results showed that a complete decomposition of MO could be achieved after 2 h of UV irradiation.