Ultra-rapid formation of crystalline anatase TiO2 films highly doped with substrate species by a cathodic deposition method

Abstract

The formation of crystalline anatase films having important applications such as photocatalysis, solar cells, electrochromic applications, and bio-implants requires time-consuming multiple processes including heat treatments. In this paper, ultra-rapid formation of a crystalline anatase film on a tin substrate is realized by a cathodic deposition method, which is performed only for 3 s in an aqueous solution containing TiF62− at 60 °C without any heat treatment. The deposited nanocrystalline anatase film of ~90 nm thickness contains high concentration of tin species derived from the substrate metal and shows superhydrophilicity after UV light irradiation. The process utilized in this study provides a novel annealing-free approach for the rapid formation of a photoactive crystalline anatase film on heat-labile substrates. Keywords: Cathodic deposition, Anatase, Heat-labile substrate, Doped TiO2