Superhydrophilic Transparent Titania Films by Supersonic Aerosol Deposition

Abstract

Photocatalytic and hydrophilic TiO2 thin-film applications include water purification, cancer therapy, solar energy conversion, self-cleaning devices, and antifogging windows. We demonstrate superhydrophilicity of aerosol-deposition (AD) TiO2 films on a glass substrate without use of a carrier solvent, thereby removing the possibility of impurity contamination. AD films exhibit high visible light transmittance (greater than 80%) and superhydrophilicity (0 degrees contact angle) with even minimal UV-light irradiation exposure. This AD method represents a significant step toward the realization of economically viable, functional thin films for the aforementioned applications.