Abstract
In order to improve the dispersion of nano-TiO2 particles and enhance its self-cleaning properties, including photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and surface hydrophilicity, we prepared nano-TiO2-coated SiO2 microsphere composite self-cleaning materials (SiO2–TiO2) by co-grinding SiO2 microspheres and TiO2 soliquid and calcining the ground product. The structure, morphology, and self-cleaning properties of the SiO2–TiO2 were characterized. The characterization results showed that the degradation efficiency of methyl orange by SiO2–TiO2 was 97%, which was significantly higher than that obtained by pure nano-TiO2. The minimum water contact angle of SiO2–TiO2 was 8°, indicating strong hydrophilicity and the good self-cleaning effect. The as-prepared SiO2–TiO2 was characterized by the nano-TiO2 particles uniformly coated on the SiO2 microspheres and distributed in the gap among the microspheres. The nano-TiO2 particles were in an anatase phase with the particle size of 15–20 nm. The nano-TiO2 particles were combined with SiO2 microspheres via the dehydroxylation of hydroxyl groups on their surfaces.
Highlights
Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a typical semiconductor material with excellent properties
Under the irradiation of ultraviolet light or ultraviolet in sunlight, the active components induced by the photocatalytic action of TiO2 on the TiO2 self-cleaning film can react with the pollutants adhering to the surface, achieving the decomposition of pollutants
Afterwards, the mixture was stirred vigorously at room temperature for 12 h and the stirred mixture was aged for 48 h to obtain the nano-TiO2 soliquid
Summary
Nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a typical semiconductor material with excellent properties. Coating TiO2 particles on the matrix surface can significantly improve the dispersibility of TiO2 particles and enhance the photocatalytic efficiency and self-cleaning performance under the synergistic effect of the matrix [16,17]. In this way, the aforementioned problems may be solved. Many silicon materials are used as substrates to prepare nano-TiO2 coated composite catalysts, such as quartz tube [18], glass fibers [19], and nano-silica [20] These catalysts all exhibit the good photocatalytic activity with different functional characteristics.
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