INVESTIGATION OF PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF TiO2 THIN FILM COATED ON PLEXY GLASS

In this study, glass surface is coated with thin films of TiO2 by using sol-gel route. TiO2 chemicals were used as precursors at the solutions prepared for film coating, and also methanol and acetyl acetone were used as solvent and chelating agent respectively. After the glass samples were dipped in to prepared solutions by using a special apparatus, they were taken into the preheated (500 degrees C) vertical furnace to dry, and then they were annealed at the same temperature. The thin films formed on the glass surface were characterized through the instrument of X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), Ellipsometer and Spectrometer test devices. Wet angles of thin films coated with different dipping number and annealed at different temperature, were measured by dropping 1 microliter distilled water (UP_ ultra-pure). The water contact angle between the droplet and the surface of the sample was measured. Wet angle did not change with the number of dipping number. However, the angle of contact change with the temperature of crystallization. Finally, the TiO2 thin film coated glass samples were subjected to soot with the flame of a candle with a special apparatus. After sooting, TiO2-coated glass samples were subjected to UV light for 24-48-72-96-120 hours. UV exposure samples were pictured with same conditions in every 24 hours. Cleaning effect of the surface was identified in a visible way.