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Self-cleaning performance of sol–gel-derived TiO2/SiO2 double-layer thin films

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Abstract

The self-cleaning properties of the TiO2/SiO2 double-layer films prepared by sol–gel method were investigated. Thin films were prepared by spin coating onto glass and then thermally treated at different temperatures, and characterized using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The cross-sectional structure of the films was observed by FESEM. The surface roughness of the films was characterized by AFM. The root mean square surface roughness of the thin films was below 2 nm, which should enhance their optical transparency. The photo-induced hydrophilicity of the films was evaluated by water contact angle measurement in air. The photocatalytic activity of the films was studied by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV light irradiations. The TiO2/SiO2 double-layer thin films are plausibly applicable to developing self-cleaning materials in various applications such as windows, solar panels, cement, and paints.

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Acknowledgments

This research work was supported by a Grant (15CTAP-C077608-02) from Infrastructure and transportation technology promotion research program funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of the Korean government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul, 02504, Republic of Korea

    Byeong-Min Kim, Hemraj M. Yadav & Jung-Sik Kim

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  1. Byeong-Min Kim
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  2. Hemraj M. Yadav
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  3. Jung-Sik Kim
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Correspondence to Jung-Sik Kim.

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Kim, BM., Yadav, H.M. & Kim, JS. Self-cleaning performance of sol–gel-derived TiO2/SiO2 double-layer thin films. J Coat Technol Res 13, 905–910 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-016-9804-6

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