Preparation of Anatase Nanoparticles Thin Film Coatings by Sol-Gel Method at Low Temperature and Investigation of Their Photocatalytic Activities

Authors

1 Colour, Resin & Surface Coatings (CRSC), Polymer Processing Department

2 Department, Colour, Resin & Surface Coatings, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute

3 Polymer Science, Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute

Abstract

In this study, Anatase TiO2 sol was synthesized under mild condition (80oC and ambient pressure) by hydrolysis of titanium-n-butoxide in acidic aqueous condition and subsequent reflux. Crystalline TiO2 sol was deposited on soda lime glass by spin coating method in ambient condition. Crystalline structure, particle size and morphology of deposited films were investigated by X-ray diffraction pattern, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Results are indicative of anatase crystalline TiO2 with mean particle size of 30-40 nm which are uniformly distributed on the surface. Photocatalytic activities of prepared films were systematically investigated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) and the results were compared with coatings which are prepared from commercial sol as well as heat treated sample at
650 oC.

Keywords