Abstract
Rapid switching (5–15 minutes) in the wettability of titania (TiO2) thin films in the anatase phase has been observed after UV irradiation. The film surface becomes superhydrophilic when exposed to UV radiation. The relationship between wettability, thickness and crystallinity of TiO2 films has been investigated. Amorphous and anatase TiO2 thin films have been deposited by varying the argon to oxygen gas ratio, using the reactive dc magnetron sputtering technique. It was found that the gas ratio primarily affects thickness, crystallinity, morphology and wettability of the films. The highest contact angle that has been reported so far, namely, 170°–176°, has been observed for film thickness varying from 112–500 nm in the case of pristine anatase TiO2 films. On the other hand, amorphous films show a variation in the contact angle from 120° to 140° as the thickness varied from 70 to 145 nm. The deposition is extremely robust and has an ultralow hysteresis in the contact angle. The films exhibit a morphology similar to the lotus leaf and the water hyacinth.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
