Effect of firing temperature on the photocatalytic activity of anatase ceramic glazes

• Anatase glazes were developed by the addition of TiO2 into commercial frits.
• The glazed ceramic tiles were fired at 850–1000 °C.
• The anatase glazes show a false hydrophilic behavior at low firing temperatures.
• None of the glazes have shown expressive photocatalytic activity.
• The XRD results show that anatase was transformed into rutile for all glazes.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of sintering temperature on the photocatalytic activity of anatase ceramic glazes. The glazes were obtained by the addition of titania in two commercial ceramic frits. After mixing, the glazes were sprayed on ceramic tiles, which were fired between 850 and 1000 °C. The glaze surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The microstructural analysis showed that the anatase particles can be well dispersed and fixed by the glaze on the tile surfaces. The X-ray diffraction shows that at 850 °C the anatase particles are transformed into rutile. None of the glazes have shown expressive photocatalytic activity due to the transformation of anatase into rutile.

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