Honeycombed TiO2 films prepared by combining breath figure and sol gel methods

TiO2 films with honeycombed microstructure were coated on glass substrate by introducing breath figure method to sol gel route, and by dip coating and doctor blade technology respectively. The effect of some factors on the formation of honeycombed microstructure was investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscope and optical microscope observations indicate that a pulling speed of 15-30 cm·min− 1, a mixed solvent of Vcyclohexane / Vbutanol = 3-7 and a bath water temperature of 50-60 °C were favorable for the formation of homogenous honeycomb pattern on TiO2 film. Furthermore, the traditionally breath figure method was modified by decreasing the substrate temperature below 0 °C. By this modification, honeycombed pattern with bimodal pore size distribution was produced without a moist flow. This modification broadens the application of breath figure method, and the obtained film modified with nanoscale and microscale pores may provide potential research value for surface science.