Double-Layered TiO2−SiO2 Nanostructured Films with Self-Cleaning and Antireflective Properties

Dual functions of self-cleaning and antireflection can be created in double-layered TiO2−SiO2 nanostructured films. The films were prepared by (1) layer-by-layer deposition of multilayered SiO2 nanoparticles with polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA) cations, (2) layer-by-layer deposition of multilayered titanate nanosheets with polycations on PDDA/SiO2 multilayer films, and (3) burning out the polymer and converting titanate nanosheets into TiO2 by heating at 500 °C. The as-prepared films, consisting of a porous SiO2 bottom layer and a dense TiO2 top layer, improved the transmittance of glass or quartz substrates, as demonstrated by transmission spectra collected at normal incidence. The photocatalytic properties of the films were studied by the change of the water contact angle together with the decay of the IR absorption of the hydrocarbon chain of octadecylphosphonic-acid-modified films under 2.6 mW cm-2 UV illumination. Both the antireflective and the photocatalytic properties of the films were dependent on the number of PDDA/nanosheet bilayers deposited. However, excellent surface wettability of the films for water was obtained, independent of the preparation conditions. The experimental findings are discussed in terms of the special structure of the double-layered nanostructured film.