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Multifunctional applications of TiO2 thin films synthesized by sol–gel dip coating technique

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Abstract

Pure TiO2 thin films were synthesized by non-aqueous sol–gel method using indigenously fabricated programmable low-cost dip coating unit. The structural, morphological, and optical characterizations of the thin films annealed at various temperatures were carried out to investigate the influence of annealing temperature on the film characteristics. Thin film samples were characterized using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, HR-TEM, FE-SEM, AFM, profilometry, and UV–Vis spectrophotometery. GIXRD patterns shows phase transformation from amorphous to crystalline at 723 K and into a mixed phase at 1223 K. The average crystallite size of thin films increases from 13.45 to 69.24 nm with increase in annealing temperature. XPS analysis confirmed the phase composition of the thin films. HR-TEM and FE-SEM images revealed spherical surface morphology. FE-SEM micrographs showed increase in mean particle size with increase in annealing temperature. UV–Vis optical transmittance spectra indicated a decrease in optical band gap from 3.47 to 3.03 eV with increase in annealing temperature. Photocatalytic activity of thin films was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of aqueous methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight. The results indicated that thin film annealed at 723 K in anatase phase has the highest photocatalytic activity with 79.35% degradation. This thin film exhibited high antimicrobial activity against gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) pathogens. Moreover this thin film possesses durability, reusability, hydrophilicity, anti-fogging behavior, and good wetting performance. These findings provide valuable insights into the multifunctional application of TiO2 thin films, highlighting their potential for environmental and biomedical applications.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

  • Synthesis of TiO2 thin films via the sol–gel method using indigenously fabricated programmable dip coating unit.

  • Structural, optical, and morphological studies of thin films were carried out and optimized thin film for MB degradation under direct sunlight was arrived at.

  • The optimized thin film yielded high antimicrobial activity on gram-negative (E. coli) and gram-positive (S. aureus) pathogens.

  • Durability, anti-fogging, and wetting performance of optimized thin film was also studied.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Central Laboratory for Instrumentation and Facilitation (CLIF), Department of Optoelectronics, University of Kerala, CSIR-NIIST, DST-SAIF (Cochin and Kottayam), and BRMAS, Thiruvananthapuram for providing various instrument facilities. Arsha Sunil acknowledges junior research fellowship [Ac.EV1(4)/37257/JRF/2019] from the University of Kerala.

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Kerala in the form of University Junior Research Fellowship [Ac.EV1(4)/37257/JRF/2019].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post Graduate Department of Physics and Research Centre, Mahatma Gandhi College, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 695004, India

    Arsha Sunil, M. S. Gopika & Prabitha B. Nair

  2. Department of Physics, HHMSPBNSS College for Women, Neeramankara, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 695040, India

    S. Jayasudha

  3. Department of Physics, Mannam Memorial NSS College, Kottiyam, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 691571, India

    Prabitha B. Nair

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  1. Arsha Sunil
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Contributions

Arsha Sunil: conceptualization, methodology, software, formal analysis, investigation, resources, data curation, writing-original draft, funding acquisition. Gopika M S: methodology, writing—review and editing. Jayasudha S: investigation, validation, methodology, writing—review & editing. Prabitha B Nair: conceptualization, investigation, validation, methodology, writing—review & editing, visualization, supervision.

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Correspondence to Prabitha B. Nair.

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Sunil, A., Gopika, M.S., Jayasudha, S. et al. Multifunctional applications of TiO2 thin films synthesized by sol–gel dip coating technique. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-024-06358-0

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