The influence of the UV and UV-VIS radiation on the hydrophilicity of the TiO2 - (r)GO thin films used as photocatalytic self-cleaning coatings

Abstract

Composites with titanium dioxide (TiO2) matrix and graphene oxide (GO) or reduce graphene oxide (rGO) filler were recently investigated as Vis-active materials in photocatalytic applications. For self-cleaning photocatalytic coatings, the targeted property is the (super)hydrophilicity. The wettability of a surface can be modified by exposure to radiation. This paper discusses the hydrophilicity variation of the TiO2-GO and TiO2-rGO composite thin films when exposed to UV or to UV+VIS radiation correlated with the stability of these composites under irradiation. The results outline changes in the surface hydrophilicity under irradiation mainly following the morphology and roughness modifications.