The effect of SiO2 on TiO2-SiO2 composite film for self-cleaning application

In this paper, we reported the preparation of optical transparent, super-hydrophilic TiO2-SiO2 composite films on glass substrates by sol-gel method for self-cleaning applications. The effect of SiO2 addition on phase composition and microstructural of TiO2 films was studied using XRD and SEM. Optical properties, super-hydrophilic behavior of the films were also investigated by UV–Vis and water contact angle measurements. The results indicated that the TiO2 films modified by the single layer of 0.3 mol/L SiO2 and calcined at 500 °C, manifest the enhanced super-hydrophilic properties in contrast to pure TiO2 thin film in same conditions, of which water contact angle was less than 3°