Effect of Surface Texturing on the Morphology and Wettability Properties of Plasma Sprayed TiO2 Coating

Abstract

AbstractRecently, titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings have drawn great attention due to its photo-catalytic, antibacterial, and self-cleaning properties. However, in order to exhibit the self-cleaning features, it is necessary to promote its super hydrophilic function. In this study, the effect of textured surface performed by LST technique on TiO2 coating, and its wettability properties were investigated. The textured surface morphology was observed using a digital microscope and the surface wettability analysis was conducted by measuring the static water contact angle (CA). It was observed that all dimples were efficiently engraved on the TiO2 coating without any visible cracks or damages. The non-textured coatings also exhibit a CA of 58.5° indicating hydrophilic behavior while the laser-textured samples showed CA less than 5° promoting super hydrophilic features. It was proven that laser surface texturing (LST) technique had increased the total surface area of the coatings, leading to greater exposure to potential chemical and/or physical interactions. All in all, prominent super hydrophilic features that were obtained in this study indicated that a facile method like LST is capable to develop a self-cleaning surface.KeywordsTiO2 coatingSelf-cleaningSuper hydrophilic