Preparation and characterization of TiO2-coated optical-fiber in a photo reactor

An optical-fiber photo reactor (OFPR) was designed and assembled to provide uniform light distribution inside the reactor, which spread light energy more efficiently than a traditional fixed-bed reactor. TiO2 films were coated on optical fibers using the dip-coating method. Titania solutions were prepared through the thermal hydrolysis of titanium butoxide, commercial Hombikat XXS100 solution, and Degussa P25 suspension for comparison. The thicknesses of the films ranged from 60 to 600 nm after calcination at 500 degrees C, and the sizes of the nanocrystals in the TiO2 films were 15-25 nm, as estimated from SEM micrographs. Anatase phase was found from the XRD patterns in all the TiO2 films. The profilemeter and ASTM D3359 adhesion test results showed that uniform TiO2 films were formed with strong adhesion using the thermal hydrolysis and Hombikat XXS 100 solutions, while those coated with P25-suspension exhibited poor adhesion on a glass surface. The contact angle of the water decreased to almost zero within 30 minutes under UV-light irradiation and then recovered to the initial contact angle in darkness, implying super hydrophilicity and perfection of the TiO2 films. Ammonia was photocatalytically decomposed in the OFPR under artificial light irradiation, indicating good photocatalytic reactivity of the TiO2-coated fibers.