Surface characterization of thin titania films prepared at low temperatures

Nanostructured thin films of titanium dioxide were produced on cotton, glass and silicon substrates from alkoxide solutions at low temperatures. The microstructure and elemental composition of these films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), respectively. The crystallinity of the films was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The UV absorption of titania-coated cotton substrates was also studied. The leaching stability of the titania films coated on cotton after washing reveals a high level of adhesion which might be attributable to a dehydration reaction between titania and the cellulosic hydroxyl groups of cotton.