title: Superhydrophilic graphene-loaded TiO2 thin film for self-cleaning applications.
abstract: We develop a simple approach to fabricate graphene-loaded TiO(2) thin films on glass substrates by the spin-coating technique. Our graphene-loaded TiO(2) films were highly conductive and transparent and showed enhanced photocatalytic activities. More significantly, graphene/TiO(2) films displayed superhydrophilicity within a short time even under a white fluorescent light bulb, as compared to a pure TiO(2) film. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of graphene/TiO(2) films is attributed to its efficient charge separation, owing to electrons injection from the conduction band of TiO(2) to graphene. The electroconductivity of the graphene-loaded TiO(2) thin film also contributes to the self-cleaning function by its antifouling effect against particulate contaminants. The present study reveals the ability of graphene as a low cost cocatalyst instead of expensive noble metals (Pt, Pd), and further shows its capability for the application of self-cleaning coatings with transparency. The promising characteristics of (inexpensive, transparent, conductive, superhydrophilic, and highly photocatalytically active) graphene-loaded TiO(2) films may have the potential use in various indoor applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Ceramics Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Srinivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anandan
authors.forename: Tata Narasinga
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Marappan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sathish
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rangappa
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Honma
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D006108:Graphite; D014025:Titanium; D008751:Methylene Blue