Abstract:In the present research, SiO2–TiO2 nanostructure films were successfully prepared on windshields using the sol–gel technique for photocatalytic applications. To prevent the thermal diffusion of the sodium ions from the glass to TiO2 films, the SiO2 layer was pre-coated on the glass by the sol–gel method. The substrates were dipped in the sol and withdrawn with the speed of 6cm/min-1 to...

We report on an extremely fast and versatile synthetic approach, based on microwave assisted sol-gel chemistry, that allows a conformal nanometric coating of intricate three-dimensional structures. Using this methodology, we have achieved a conformal coverage of large areas of three-dimensional opals with a superparamagnetic manganese ferrite layer, yielding magneto-photonic crystals with excel...

In this work, we communicate a facile and low temperature synthesis process for the fabrication of graphene-TiO2 photocatalytic composite thin films. A sol-gel chemical route is used to synthesize TiO2 from the precursor solutions and spin and spray coating are used to deposit the films. Excitation of the wet films during the casting process by ultrasonic vibration favorably influences both the...

This paper aims to develop a novel method, i.e., sol-gel combined with layer-by-layer assembly technology, to impart flame retardancy on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics. Silica-sol was synthesized via the sol-gel process and acted as cationic solution, and phytic acid (PA) was used as the anionic medium. Flame-retardant-treated PAN fabric (FR-PAN) could achieve excellent flame retardancy with 1...

The novel complex photocatalytic material was prepared by coating TiO₂ nanoparticles on tourmaline using the sol-gel method, and used in the degradation of the herbicide 2,4-D. The results indicated that coating TiO₂ with tourmaline enhanced the photocatalytic activity significantly. Based on the research of a simplified model for the average light intensity in the photoreactor, the influence o...

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive method that is becoming attractive due to its ability to inspect noninvasively large areas in short times. This work demonstrates that the analysis of the thermographic response of coating layer can be greatly improved with a multiscale decomposition. Based on 2D discrete wavelets transform, effective scales in the thermographic responses of samples ca...

This paper reports on a rapid new method for in-situ sol-gel deposition of silica layers in PDMS microchannels. A two-step process is used; first allowing TEOS to diffuse briefly into the channel, followed by acid catalysed hydrolysis and condensation. The silica coating results in an increased and stabilised electroosmotic flow. With this novel method there is no need for pretreatment of the m...

ZnO particles with an average size of about 5 nm were prepared via a sol-gel chemical route and the silane coupling agent, (3-glycidyloxypropyl)-trimethoxysilane (GPTS), was adopted to enhance the dispersion of the ZnO nanoparticles in ethyl glycol (EG) solution. A ZnO surface potential as high as 66 mV was observed and a sedimentation test showed that the ZnO precursor solution remains transpa...

T h e prepara t ion and propert ies of combined a luminium oxide coatings have been investigated. T h e coating has been prepared in two steps. First , a luminium subs t ra te was anodically oxidized. In t he next s tep the anodized film has been coated by the sol-gel method . T h e condit ions of forming coatings wi thout shrinkage were obta ined empirically. It was found out t h a t the film ...