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Process-Induced Nanostructures on Anatase Single Crystals via Pulsed-Pressure MOCVD
Rukmini Gorthy1, Susan Krumdieck1, Catherine Bishop1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Canterbury, 20 Kirkwood Ave, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 9, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed antimicrobial titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings for touch surfaces. Coating thickness controls nanoplate dimensions, enhancing photocatalytic activity for reduced pathogen transmission in hospitals.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for antimicrobial coatings on high-touch surfaces.
- Nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) shows potential for passive reduction of pathogen transmission.
- Controlling TiO2 nanostructure dimensions is crucial for optimizing antimicrobial efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between TiO2 coating thickness and nanostructure dimensions.
- To understand how these nanostructures influence photocatalytic activity for antimicrobial applications.
- To optimize TiO2 coatings for enhanced durability and photocatalytic properties.
Main Methods:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) solid coatings were fabricated using pulsed-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (pp-MOCVD).
- Coating thickness was varied from 1.3-16 mm by adjusting precursor pulse numbers.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) were employed to measure nanostructure dimensions.
Main Results:
- Nanoplate thickness (mille-feuille crystal plates) within anatase columnar crystals increased with coating thickness.
- The nano-dimension (mille-feuille plate width) ranged from 17-42 nm.
- Competitive growth led to larger columnar crystal diameters as film thickness increased.
Conclusions:
- Coating thickness is a critical parameter for controlling TiO2 nanostructure dimensions.
- Optimizing nanoplate dimensions alongside coating thickness can enhance photocatalytic properties.
- This research provides a pathway for designing effective antimicrobial TiO2 coatings for surfaces.
