Authors
Abstract
In this work, TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 thin films were synthesized on glass by combination of sol-gel method and dip-coating deposition technique. Thermal treatment in temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 500 °C was used to evaluate changes in structure, morphology and texture of these materials. Adherent and microcrack-free films were obtained. The structural and morphological evolution with temperature was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Average particle size and roughness were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The films were tested for wettability by measuring the contact angle between a drop of distilled water and the material surface. Results of hydrophobic/hydrophilic tests using UV-C irradiation showed that the films change their hydrophobic character to hydrophilic reaching even the superhydrophilic character which indicates their potential application as self-cleaning coatings.
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