Photocatalytic activity and surface water wettability conversion of TiO₂ thin films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering from ceramic target has been studied. Thin films were deposited at three deposition pressures. It resulted in obtaining different film microstructures. Higher deposition pressures favourited creating more porous films with higher specific area than it happened in case of lower pressures. In both cases films were columnar in character with columns consisting of small nanograin-type creatures. Films recognized by X-ray as amorphous ones crystallised to anatase by annealing at 573-773K. It was found that deposition pressure influenced not only the initial film microstructure but the way of anatase crystallization during annealing as well. Strong preferential (001) orientation was found in case of films prepared at higher deposition pressures. To evaluate photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ films ethanol breakdown was measured. Water contact angle measurements showed that thin films were hydrophobic if stayed in dark. During UV light irradiation they converted to hydrophilic. Reaction rate and contact angle decrease rate occurred to be dependent in similar way on initial film microstructure, its crystallinity and the way of anatase crystallization.

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/15469 must be provided.

1. Estimation of crystallographic defects density in ceramics from ESEM/EBSD data
2. Transparent cobalt-doped magnesium aluminate ceramics for Q-switch applications – powder preparation and sintering
3. Transparent Nd:YAG ceramics sintered from nanometric powders- effect of co-precipitation temperature on powder sinterability
4. Study of synthesis and formation mechanisms of nanometric magnesium alumina spinel powders
5. Processing of Ceramic Nanopowders and Nanocomposites