Photocatalytic property of polyester fabrics coated with Ag/TiO2 composite films by magnetron sputtering

The Silver/Titanium dioxide film (Ag/TiO2) composite films prepared by two different magnetron sputtering methods were deposited on textile substrates using the characteristics of nano-Ti films oxidized easily in the air. The microstructures and the photocatalytic property of Ag/TiO2 composite films deposited on textile substrates were analyzed, and compared with that of TiO2/Ag composite films also deposited on textile substrates. The experimental results indicated that the Ag film and the TiO2 film were uniformly distributed in layers on the surface of the fabrics. The surface microstructures of Ag/TiO2 composite films deposited on the surface of fabrics was even and dense and was smoother than that of TiO2/Ag composite films. The photocatalytic activity of fabrics coated with TiO2 film prepared by DC magnetron sputtering method was much lower than that of TiO2 films prepared by DC and RF reactive sputtering method because of the structure of TiO2 films formed by oxidation in the air. Due to the effect of the Ag film, the photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 composite films and TiO2/Ag composite films deposited on the fabrics were all improved, and the photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 composite films was the highest, and that of TiO2 films was the smallest.