Hydrophobic properties of high Fe³⁺ ion containing Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ coatings

The treatment of environmental pollution using semiconductor photo catalysis converts contaminants to innocuous products, such as CO₂ and H₂O. The most promising semiconductor photo catalysts are titania based materials. However, the main drawback of titania anatase polymorph is the large band gap which limits the spectrum of photons that can create electron-hole pairs to participate in oxidation or reduction. In this study Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ coatings were successfully prepared on soda-lime silicate glass slide substrates using sol-gel method. Coating surface and morphology has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Coatings were obtained using dip-coating method. The present research is devoted to the studies of aging time and heat treatment effects on films hydrophobicity. The purpose of this contribution was the development of iron oxide rich Fe₂O₃-TiO₂ hydrophobic thin films depending on different preparation parameters. SEM and AFM investigation revealed the formation of two layered, porous coating microstructure consisting of rough flattened areas which formed the backbone for irregularly shaped particles.