Enhanced Hydrophilicity and Self-Cleaning Properties of TiO₂ Thin Films on Glass for Photovoltaic Applications: Influence of Precursor Concentration and Light Irradiation

Authors

• Fatma Refaat, Electronic Technology Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Saray–El Qoupa, El Sawah Street,11281 Cairo, Egypt
• Hany Hashem, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Ain Helwan, Cairo, Egypt
• Mohamed Mahmoud Gouda, Electronic Technology Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Saray–El Qoupa, El Sawah Street,11281 Cairo, Egypt
• Ibrahim Ahmed, Automotive and Tractor Technology Department, Faculty of Technology and Education Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Saray–El Qoupa, El Sawah Street,11281 Cairo, Egypt
• Khaled Abdelwahed, Automotive and Tractor Technology Department, Faculty of Technology and Education Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Saray–El Qoupa, El Sawah Street,11281 Cairo, Egypt
• Ahmed Bakr El Basaty, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Technology and Education, Capital University (Formerly Helwan University), Saray–El Qoupa, El Sawah Street,11281 Cairo, Egypt.Follow

Corresponding Author

Ahmed Bakr El Basaty

Document Type

Original Study

Subject Areas

Materials Science and Engineering; Nanotechnology; Physics

Keywords

TiO₂ thin films; Hydrophilicity; Self-cleaning surfaces; Spin coating; Photo-induced wettability; Glass substrate modification; Anatase phase; Contact angle.

Abstract

This study investigates the modification of glass substrates with TiO₂ thin films to enhance surface hydrophilicity and self-cleaning behavior. The films were deposited on glass by spin coating using different precursor concentrations, followed by thermal treatment. Structural and optical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy, while surface wettability was evaluated through water contact angle measurements. XRD confirmed the formation of pure anatase TiO₂, while FTIR spectra verified the presence of Ti–O and Ti–O–Ti bonds. Wettability analysis showed that films prepared with the lowest precursor concentration exhibited the smallest water contact angle, indicating superior hydrophilicity. Under light irradiation, the contact angle of TiO₂ coated glass decreased progressively with exposure time, demonstrating photo induced hydrophilicity, whereas the uncoated glass showed negligible change. In contrast, samples kept in the dark for the same duration showed almost no variation in contact angle, confirming that the wettability enhancement is primarily induced by light irradiation. These results demonstrate that TiO₂ thin films significantly improve surface hydrophilicity and exhibit photo assisted self-cleaning properties, making them promising candidates for self-cleaning photovoltaic glass coatings as well as optical and anti-fogging applications.

How to Cite This Article

Refaat, Fatma; Hashem, Hany; Gouda, Mohamed Mahmoud; Ahmed, Ibrahim; Abdelwahed, Khaled; and El Basaty, Ahmed Bakr (2026) "Enhanced Hydrophilicity and Self-Cleaning Properties of TiO₂ Thin Films on Glass for Photovoltaic Applications: Influence of Precursor Concentration and Light Irradiation," Trends in advanced sciences and technology: Vol. 3, Article 8.
DOI: 10.62537/2974-444X.1054
Available at: https://tast.researchcommons.org/journal/vol3/iss1/8