Review of self-cleaning TiO2 thin films deposited with spin coating

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 122; no. 9-10; pp. 3525 - 3546
• Main Authors: Lukong, Valantine Takwa, Ukoba, Kingsley, Jen, Tien-Chien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.10.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; CAE) and Design; Cleaning; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Contaminants; Critical Review; Energy resources; Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Power sources; Process parameters; Renewable energy sources; Solar energy conversion; Spin coating; Stabilizers (agents); Substrates; Thin films; Titanium dioxide; Photovoltaic; Self-cleaning; Titanium dioxide; Spin coating; Sustainability; Energy transition
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-022-10043-3

This paper reviewed the deposition of thin films of TiO 2 for self-cleaning applications deposited using the spin coater. The overwhelming global demand for electricity pushes power producers to develop substitute energy sources. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and hydroelectric are now considered to create alternative power sources. The most abundant form on earth is solar energy, converted to electrical energy using a solar panel. Regrettably, solar panels attract contaminants once exposed to the atmosphere, causing their efficiency to drop. Self-cleaning is one of the researched technologies to help maintain clean photovoltaic surfaces. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is among the materials studied for self-cleaning, and the spin-coating method offers great promise. This paper presented the background and working principle of the spin coater, precautions to be taken with the spin-coating process, and the merits and demerits of the process. The paper highlighted the self-cleaning mechanism and the spin-coating method to create self-cleaning TiO 2 thin films for application on several surfaces, including the solar panel. Commonly used self-cleaning materials were also reviewed, including materials used to dope or create TiO 2 composite for better self-cleaning capability. Effects of process parameters, available substrates, surfactants, solvents, and stabilizing agents on the final TiO 2 thin film performance and recent innovative efforts to improve the spin-coating process and the self-cleaning abilities of TiO 2 are reviewed. This will contribute to the body of knowledge on spin-coating techniques, self-cleaning thin films, and TiO 2 .