Hydrophobic rutile phase TiO2 nanostructure and its properties for self-cleaning application

The nanostructured hydrophobic rutile phase titanium dioxide TiO2 and its properties for self-cleaning application were directly synthesized from titanium butoxide (TBOT) precursor deposited on the fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate through the hydrothermal treatment with different volume of TBOT and adding of Cetyl Trimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB). The samples were characterized respectively by way of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), water contact angle measurement and Raman spectroscopy for surface analysis system. The FE-SEM results revealed a layer of nanoparticles were growth on the FTO substrate. The surface properties of the samples were studied with a water contact angle measurement. The water contact angle measurement results revealed the hydrophobic of samples as the angle of water droplet on the sample increased. The rutile phase and surface of TiO2 were confirmed using a Raman spectroscopy.