title: Visible light induced wetting of nanostructured N-F co-doped titania films.
abstract: Nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO(2) films have been prepared by dip coating of a modified titania sol-gel based on a nitrogen precursor and a nonionic fluorosurfactant as pore template and fluorine source. The modified NF-TiO(2) films absorb in the visible spectral range, between 400-510 nm and undergo reversible hydrophilic conversion under visible light to a final contact angle of 8°, in contrast to the UV limited optical response of their undoped anatase TiO(2) analogues. The phenomenon takes place at a rate slower than the corresponding one observed for the UV stimulated superhydrophilic effect. The wetting response of the N-F doped TiO(2) films correlates well with the variation of their optical properties and surface morphological characteristics and most importantly with their photocatalytic activity, rendering these materials very promising for self-cleaning applications under visible light.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry, NCSR Demokritos, 15310, Aghia Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece. akontos@chem.demokritos.gr
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kontos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pelaez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Likodimos
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vaenas
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Dionysiou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Falaras