Synthesis and characterization of superhydrophilic PVA-TiO<sub>2</sub> and PEG-TiO<sub>2</sub> composite thin films via the sol-gel method and ınvestigation of PEG-TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalytic characteristics

Samadi Z., KARA KOÇ K., SARCAN F., EROL A.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS, cilt.37, sa.22, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 37 Sayı: 22
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10854-026-18179-8
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Engineering Source (EBSCO), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The superhydrophilic and photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films, PEG-TiO2 and PVA-TiO2 composite thin films synthesized by the sol-gel method were investigated. Starting TiO2 solutions were prepared with and without the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on a glass substrate with the spin coating method under the same deposition conditions. The effects of the PEG concentration on the properties of the films were studied. We observed that the TiO2 film with an anatase structure exhibited superhydrophilic characteristics, with a contact angle of 7 degrees and photocatalytic activity. The contact angle values for all the samples were compared with and without the additive polymer. The PEG-TiO2 sample has the lowest contact angle, which was 1 degrees. The UV-VIS transmittance spectra of TiO2, PVA-TiO2 and PEG-TiO2 present a maximal transmittance higher than 80%, indicating good transparency and a typical strong absorption band at similar to 388 nm. The thicknesses of TiO2 and PEG60-TiO2 are approximately 172 and 267 nm (+/- 5 nm), respectively. PEG-TiO2 achieved 83% methylene blue degradation in 40 min, compared to 72% in 60 min for pure TiO2.