Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Development of high dispersed TiO2 paste for transparent screen-printable self-cleaning coatings on glass

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reports a cheap and facile method to fabricate transparent self-cleaning coatings on glass by screen-printing high dispersed TiO2 paste. Three kinds of ZrO2 beads with diameter of 2, 1, and 0.1–0.2 mm were utilized to investigate their influence on the grinding and dispersion of the commercial TiO2 powder in the ball mill. From the SEM images, surface profiler and transmittance spectrum it could be demonstrated that the smallest ZrO2 bead with the diameter of 0.1–0.2 mm was the best candidate to disperse the TiO2 powder into nanoscale size to make the high dispersed TiO2 paste which was the key factor to achieve a smooth, high transparent TiO2 coating. The surface wettability measurement showed that all the screen-printed coatings had super hydrophilic surfaces, which was independent to the surface morphology. However, the coating with the highest transparency showed the lowest photocatalytic activity which is mainly due to the light loss.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Euvananont C, Junin C, Inpor K, Limthongkul P, Thanachayanont C (2008) TiO2 optical coating layers for self-cleaning applications. Ceram Int 34:1067–1071

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guan KS (2005) Relationship between photocatalytic activity, hydrophilicity and self-cleaning effect of TiO2/SiO2 films. Surf Coat Technol 191:155–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito S, Yoshida S, Watanabe T (2000) Preparation of colloidal anatase TiO2 secondary submicroparticles by hydrothermal sol–gel method. Chem Lett 29:70–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito S, Chen P, Comte P, Nazeeruddin MK, Liska P, Pechy P, Gratzel M (2007) Fabrication of screen-printing pastes from TiO2 powders for dye-sensitised solar cells. Prog Photovolt Res Appl 15:603–612

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kesmez Ö, Çamurlu HE, Burunkaya E, Arpaç E (2009) Sol–gel preparation and characterization of anti-reflective and self-cleaning SiO2–TiO2 double-layer nanometric films. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 93:1833–1839

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon TY, Yang DH, Ju MK, Jung WW, Kim SY, Lee YW, Gong DY, Yi J (2011) Screen printed phosphorus diffusion for low-cost and simplified industrial mono-crystalline silicon solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 95:14–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee YC, Hong YP, Lee HY, Kim H, Jung YJ, Ko KH, Jung HS, Hong KS (2003) Photocatalysis and hydrophilicity of doped TiO2 thin films. J Colloid Interface Sci 267:127–131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linsebiger AL, Lu G, Yates JJT (1995) Photocatalysis on TiO2 surfaces: principles, mechanisms, and selected results. Chem Rev 95:735–758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Q, We X, Wang B (2002) Preparation and super-hydrophilic properties of TiO2/SnO2 composite thin films. Mater Res Bull 37:2255–2262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu KS, Zhang ML, Zhou W, Li L, Wang J, Fu HG (2005) Preparation, characterization, and photo-induced hydrophilicity of nanocrystalline anatase thin films synthesized through evaporation-induced assembly. Nanotechnology 16:3006–3011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakaruk A, Ragazzon D, Sorrell CC (2010a) Anatase thin films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 88:98–101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakaruk A, Ragazzon D, Sorrell CC (2010b) Anatase–rutile transformation through high-temperature annealing of titania films produced by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Thin Solid Films 518:3735–3742

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill SA, Clark RJH, Parkin IP (2003) Anatase thin films on glass from the chemical vapor deposition of titanium(IV) chloride and ethyl acetate. Chem Mater 15:46–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothenberger G, Gomte P, Gratzel M (1999) A contribution to the optical design of dye-sensitized nanocrystalline solar cells. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells 58:321–336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun HF, Wang CY, Pang SH, Li XP, Tao Y, Tang HJ, Liu M (2006) Commercial and laboratory prepared titanium dioxide thin films for self-cleaning glasses: photocatalytic performance and chemical durability. Thin Solid Films 502:112–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tachibana Y, Hara K, Sayama K, Arakawa H (2002) Quantitative analysis of light-harvesting efficiency and electron-transfer yield in ruthenium-dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells. Chem Mater 14:2527–2535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang R, Hashimoto K, Fujishima A, Chikuni M, Kojima E, Kitamura A, Shimohigoshi M, Watanabe T (1997) Light-induced amphiphilic surfaces. Nature 388:431–432

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe T, Fukayama S, Miyauchi M, Fujishima A, Hashimoto K (2000) Photocatalytic activity and photo-induced wettability conversion of TiO2 thin film prepared by sol–gel process on a soda-lime glass. J Sol Gel Sci Technol 19:71–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeman P, Takabayashi S (2002) Self-cleaning and antifogging effects of TiO2 films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. J Vac Sci Technol A 20:388–393

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao XJ, Zhao QN, Yu JG, Liu BS (2008) Development of multifunctional photoactive self-cleaning glasses. J Non Cryst Solids 354:1424–1430

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work described in this paper was supported by a Grant from the PolyU Postdoctoral Fellowships Scheme (G-YX4X) and the support from the Sun Hung Kai Properties Group based in Hong Kong.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Service Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

    Yuanhao Wang, Lin Lu, Hongxing Yang & Quande Che

Authors
  1. Yuanhao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lin Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hongxing Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Quande Che
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lin Lu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wang, Y., Lu, L., Yang, H. et al. Development of high dispersed TiO2 paste for transparent screen-printable self-cleaning coatings on glass. J Nanopart Res 15, 1384 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1384-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1384-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation