Photochromic and Self-Cleaning Properties of TiO2-AgCl/Cu2+ Thin Films
TiO2-AgCl/Cu2+ thin films containing 0 to 1%Cu2+ coated on glass slides were prepared by sol gel-dip coating method. The prepared films were synthesized at the temperature range of 100-500 °C. The microstructure and properties of synthesized TiO2-AgCl/Cu2+ thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Finally, the hydrophilic property was evaluated by means of contact angle of water droplet on the films. The results show that both calcinations temperature and Cu2+-doping have an effect on anatase and AgCl phase formation, crystallite sizes and phase content of the films. It was found that TiO2-AgCl/1%Cu2+ thin films calcined at 500 °C exhibit the highest photochromic (darken reaction) and self–cleaning effects (small contact angle) under UV irradiation.