Superhydrophilic Graphene-Loaded TiO2 Thin Film for Self-Cleaning Applications

We develop a simple approach to fabricate graphene-loaded TiO2 thin films on glass substrates by the spin-coating technique. Our graphene-loaded TiO2 films were highly conductive and transparent and showed enhanced photocatalytic activities. More significantly, graphene/TiO2 films displayed superhydrophilicity within a short time even under a white fluorescent light bulb, as compared to a pure TiO2 film. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of graphene/TiO2 films is attributed to its efficient charge separation, owing to electrons injection from the conduction band of TiO2 to graphene. The electroconductivity of the graphene-loaded TiO2 thin film also contributes to the self-cleaning function by its antifouling effect against particulate contaminants. The present study reveals the ability of graphene as a low cost cocatalyst instead of expensive noble metals (Pt, Pd), and further shows its capability for the application of self-cleaning coatings with transparency. The promising characteristics of (inexpen...