Titania powder modified sol-gel process for photocatalytic applications

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 823 - 831
• Main Authors: Balasubramanian, G, Dionysiou, D. D, Suidan, M. T, Subramanian, V, Baudin, I, Laîné, J.-M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Kluwer Academic Publishers 15.02.2003; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: adhesion; Anatase; Chemistry; coatings; energy-dispersive X-ray analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Flaking; gels; General and physical chemistry; glass; Glass substrates; Grain size; Heat treatment; Immersion coating; Materials science; Photochemistry; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); powders; scanning electron microscopy; Sol-gel processes; sol-gel processing; Sols; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Thick films; Titanium dioxide; X-ray diffraction; Scanning electron microscopy; Transition metal Compounds; Photocatalysis; Glass; Mechanical properties; Hardness; X ray diffraction; Titanium Oxides; Thick film; Sol gel process; Stainless steel; Preparation; Alkoxide
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1021869200589

Thick films of TiO₂ were prepared on glass and stainless steel substrates using an alkoxide sol-gel process modified by addition of Degussa P-25 powder. The prepared films were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and other methods. The TiO₂ films obtained from the powder modified sol were compared to films obtained from the alkoxide sol-gel without modification. The films obtained from the modified sol-gel were about ten times thicker for a single dip coating/heat treatment cycle than the films obtained from the sol without powder addition. The prepared thick films were smooth and free of macrocracking, fracture or flaking. The grain size of these films was uniform and in the range 100–150 nm and the films were a mixture of anatase and rutile TiO₂. The films obtained from the powder modified sol on the stainless steel substrate were also much harder compared to the films obtained from sols without modification and displayed excellent adhesion to the substrate.