pH-dependent structure and wettability of TiO2-based wood surface

TiO2 thin films with different wettability were fabricated on the wood surfaces by a simple low-temperature hydrothermal method with the precursor solution pH adjusted by hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide. The morphologies of TiO2 films have been changed from sphere species to filmy ones by adjusting pH of precursor solution. The TiO2 films synthesized at the precursor solution pH of 1 similar to 10 were mainly primary existed in anatase phase without other structure, and the TiO2-treated wood surfaces presented different wettability with the water contact angles ranged from 9.6 degrees to 132.7 degrees, when the precursor solution pH were controlled to the range of 1 similar to 14. Such a wood surface with the desirable wettability shows great potential, as it may be selectively used in the various environments with different humidity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.