Development of an automated and cost-effective apparatus for sol-gel solution deposition using spray coating technique and its application for TiO[formula omitted]-based photocatalytic films

Abstract

This study presents the development of a novel apparatus for automated sol–gel solution deposition through a cost-effective spray coating technique. The focus was on producing TiO2 films for photocatalytic applications, addressing environmental pollution and energy scarcity issues. The apparatus, constructed using economical materials, facilitated the production of TiO2 films with an anatase-like crystalline structure and uniform surface morphology. The methodology included detailed experimental procedures for solution preparation, substrate cleansing, and deposition process optimization. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy were employed to assess the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the films. The results indicated the successful synthesis of anatase-phase TiO2 thin films with desirable optical properties and efficient photocatalytic activity, as demonstrated through the degradation of methylene blue and methyl orange. The study highlights the apparatus’s efficiency, versatility, and potential for industrial-scale production, thus offering promising prospects for practical applications and commercialization in the field of sustainable environmental solutions.