Hydrophilicity and photocatalysis of Ti1−xVxO2 films prepared by sol–gel method

Ti1−xVxO2 films were prepared by sol–gel dip-coating method. To study the effects of vanadium incorporation on the self-cleaning properties of TiO2 film, the crystallization behavior and surface morphology of Ti1−xVxO2 films were investigated by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and an Atomic force microscope (AFM) respectively. The band-gap Eg of Ti1−xVxO2 was determined by optical transmission spectra. Hydrophilicity and photocatalysis of Ti1−xVxO2 films were characterized. The results showed that Ti1−xVxO2 films had super-hydrophilicity and greater photocatalysis under day light illumination when x = 0.1–0.2. An optimal photocatalytic activity was obtained when x = 0.15. Moreover, Ti0.85V0.15O2 films were proven to have excellent photocatalysis and hydrophilicity in visible region simultaneously, which made the application of Ti0.85V0.15O2 film as self-cleaning and anti-fogging material practical under everyday condition.