Heliyon (May 2019)
Anatase TiO2 adsorption on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-modified Al or glass surfaces
Abstract
Herein, anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by boiling anatase TiO2 in water without using hydrothermal synthesis. This changed the particle diameter because boiling caused particle collision via convection. Substrates were then prepared by assembling anatase nanoparticles on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)-functionalized Al surfaces. The effect of pH on the preparation of anatase nanoparticles was investigated, with results indicating that pH 3 is optimal for anatase adsorption on Al surfaces. The anatase TiO2 suspension was thus adjusted to pH 3 using dilute HCl solution, and the Al surface selectively adsorbed anatase nanoparticles. This method enabled the adsorption of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles at room temperature, without using a heat source. In addition to Al substrates, this method was also found to be applicable to glass surfaces.
