Effect of Silver Modification on the Photoactivity of Titania Coatings with Different Pore Structures

Nanostructured photoactive systems are promising for applications such as air and water purification, including self-cleaning coatings. In this study, mesoporous TiO2 sol-gel coatings with different pore structures were prepared modified silver by two methods: the “mixing” method adding AgNO3 to precursor sol, “impregnation” immersing samples in solution (0.03 1 M) followed heat treatment. Our aim was investigate effects that modification has on functional properties (e.g., those important coatings). Transmittance, band gap energy, refractive index, porosity thickness values determined from UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements. Silver content structure of characterized X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, High-resolution transmission electron microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectrometry elemental mapping Wettability properties, photoinduced wettability conversion behavior investigated contact angle Photoactivity studied under both UV visible light rhodamine 6G methylene blue dye molecules, at liquid–solid air–solid interfaces modeling operating conditions Samples made showed better spite their significantly lower content. The influenced Ag achieved method, consequently affected photoactivity.