Amphiphilic Properties of Metal Oxide Coatings
Thin film metal oxide coatings have been studied extensively since 1969 due to their photocatalytic properties (Tryk et al, 2000). More recently, another novel property of some metal oxides has been discovered; the property of photo-induced amphiphilicity. Amphiphilic surfaces are both hydrophilic and oleophilic strongly attracting both water and oil when exposed to light. Some metal oxides such as titanium dioxide, tin dioxide, and tungsten trioxide have such a strong attraction for water that they become superhydrophilic; when these surfaces are irradiated, the contact angle of a water droplet will decrease from 72o to less than 0o, effectively forming a thin film of water on the surface versus multiple sessile drops or beads. The hydrophilic nature of metal oxides has been commercialized in products such as non-fogging automotive side mirrors and self cleaning exterior glass (Fujishima et al, 2000 a and b; Tryk et al, 2000). However, the amphiphilic nature of metal oxide films has the potential for applications far beyond those that are currently commercialised. This research will involve the use of both physical and chemical methods of depositing thin films of photoactive titanium dioxide onto the surface of substrates e.g. stainless steel and polymers. These films will be characterised with respect to their physical and chemical properties using state of the art equipment available within the Nanotechnology Research Institute. The films will also be extensively tested for their amphiphilic properties under UV/visible illumination and/or application of electrical bias.
Fujishima, A. Tata N. Rao, D.A. Tryk, (2000) TiO2 photocatalysts and diamond electrodes, Electrochimica Acta, 45, 4683?4690
Akira Fujishima, Tata N. Rao, Donald A. Tryk, (2000) Titanium dioxide photocatalysis, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews,1,1?21
D.A. Tryk, A. Fujishima, K. Honda, (2000) Recent topics in photoelectrochemistry: achievements and future prospects, Electrochimica Acta 45 (2000) 2363?2376
Personnel Involved
First Supervisor: Byrne, J Dr
Second Supervisor: McLaughlin, JAD Prof
Collaboration: This project does not involve collaboration with another establishment
Synopsis:
Thin film metal oxide coatings have been studied extensively since 1969 due to their photocatalytic properties. More recently, another novel property of some metal oxides has been discovered; the property of photo-induced amphiphilicity. Amphiphilic surfaces are both hydrophilic and oleophilic strongly attracting both water and oil when exposed to light. This research will involve the use of both physical and chemical methods of depositing thin films of photoactive titanium dioxide onto the surface of substrates e.g. stainless steel and polymers. The films will be characterised using state of the art equipment available within the NIBEC.