Preparation and properties of Fe2O3/TiO2 and ZnO/TiO2 nanosized particulate thin films

Transparent TiO2 thin film and Fe2O3/ TiO2 and ZnO/ TiO2 thin films were prepared by sol-gel methods on the soda lime glass substrates. The results of AFM show that the addition of Fe and Zn ions can suppress the grain growth of TiO2 thin films. The changes of the hydrophilicity of the films under the UV illumination were investigated. The pure TiO2 thin film can be entirely wetted by water after UV illumination for 5h and shows good hydrophilicity. The hydrophilicity. of TiO2 thin films increases with increase in Fe/Zn ions doped. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2 films in photodegradation of methylene orange solution decrease with increase in Fe ions doped but increase with increase in small amount of Zn ions doped.