The Study of Hydrophilicity and Optical Properties of Zn and N-doped TiO$_{2}$ Thin Films

TL;DR

This study synthesizes Zn and N-doped TiO2 thin films via spin coating, demonstrating enhanced hydrophilicity and slight bandgap increase, which could improve photocatalytic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel doping method with Zn and N to enhance TiO2's surface wettability and optical properties for photocatalysis.

Findings

Water contact angle reduced from 33.45° to 17.94° after doping.

Doped films show increased hydrophilicity.

Minor increment in bandgap observed.

Abstract

Among the wide bandgap semiconductors, TiO$_{2}$ is the highly stable and cost-efficient semiconductor used for the different photocatalysis processes like water splitting, chemical waste degradation, anti-micro bacterial activities, and more. Materials showing high hydrophilicity (surface phenomenon) with low bandgap are required to improve photocatalysis efficiency. We report the synthesis of Zn (4 wt.%) and N (4 wt.%) doped TiO$_{2}$ thin films using the spin coating technique to improve surface wettability. The XRD pattern shows the growth of the pure anatase phase of TiO$_{2}$. UV absorption spectra show a minor increment in the bandgap of the Zn and N doped TiO$_{2}$ thin films. The water contact angle with pure TiO$_{2}$ is 33.45{\deg} and reduces to 17.94{\deg} after 4wt% doping of Zn and N. The results show the enhanced hydrophilicity in the Zn and N doped TiO$_{2}$ thin films.