Fine tuning the coverage of a titanate nanowire layer on a glass substrate

We report on the factors influencing the glass coating ability of hydrothermally synthesized titanate nanowires (TiONWs) below one monolayer coverage. The effects of three parameters (number of repetitions, dipping duration, surfactant type) were studied in a three level full factorial design. Coatings were assessed by quantitative SEM image analysis. We have found it possible to control the TiONW coverage between 0% and 100%. Treating the surface with a cationic surfactant is necessary for obtaining high TiONW coverages, whereas the number of repetitions and the duration of one dipping can be used to fine tune the surface coverage.