Fabrication of photocatalytic TiO₂ films on pure aluminum plates

TiO₂ films were formed on aluminum plates by a dip-coating in an advanced sol-gel precursor solution, and the effect of sintering conditions on the photocatalytic properties of the oxide were investigated by UV adsorption. The samples prepared in this way exhibit photocatalytic activity in a range of suitable sintering conditions compatible with the region of crystallization of anatase characterized by X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology and adhesion between the TiO₂ nano-film and aluminum plate were confirmed by energy filtering transmission electron microscopy, and the surface morphology was found to affect the photocatalitic activity. The TiO₂ film was 30 nm thick and was confirmed to be finely crystallines with a mean diameter of 12 nm.