Superhydrophilic Graphene-Loaded TiO2 Thin Film for Self-Cleaning Applications

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• 作者：Srinivasan Anandan ; Tata Narasinga Rao ; Marappan Sathish ; Dinesh Rangappa ; Itaru Honma ; Masahiro Miyauchi
• 刊名：ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：January 9, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：5
• 期：1
• 页码：207-212
• 全文大小：323K
• 年卷期：v.5,no.1(January 9, 2013)
• ISSN：1944-8252

文摘

We develop a simple approach to fabricate graphene-loaded TiO₂ thin films on glass substrates by the spin-coating technique. Our graphene-loaded TiO₂ films were highly conductive and transparent and showed enhanced photocatalytic activities. More significantly, graphene/TiO₂ films displayed superhydrophilicity within a short time even under a white fluorescent light bulb, as compared to a pure TiO₂ film. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of graphene/TiO₂ films is attributed to its efficient charge separation, owing to electrons injection from the conduction band of TiO₂ to graphene. The electroconductivity of the graphene-loaded TiO₂ thin film also contributes to the self-cleaning function by its antifouling effect against particulate contaminants. The present study reveals the ability of graphene as a low cost cocatalyst instead of expensive noble metals (Pt, Pd), and further shows its capability for the application of self-cleaning coatings with transparency. The promising characteristics of (inexpensive, transparent, conductive, superhydrophilic, and highly photocatalytically active) graphene-loaded TiO₂ films may have the potential use in various indoor applications.

Keywords:

graphene; TiO₂; photocatalytic oxidation; self-cleaning; superhydrophilicity