Preparation and hydrophilicity of TiO2 sol–gel derived nanocomposite films modified with copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles

In this study, TiO2 nanocomposite films with 10 g/L of TiO2 and copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles as nanofillers were deposited on the glass substrates using the sol gel dip-coating method. FE-SEM and UV–vis spectrophotometer were used to evaluate morphological and optical properties of copper loaded titania nanoparticles. In addition, XPS and water contact angle techniques were used to study the surface properties and superhydrophilicity of titania nanocomposite films, respectively. The results indicated that copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles had a significant effect on the hydrophilicity of nanocomposite film and maintaining it in a dark place for a long time (6.2 degree for titania nanocomposite films with copper loaded nanoparticle and 23.7 degree for nanocomposite film with titania nanoparticles).

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► TiO2 nanocomposite films with copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared.
► Copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles increased hydroxyl density of nanocomposite film surfaces.
► Copper loaded TiO2 nanoparticles improved the hydrophilicity of nanocomposite films.