Method of making photocatalysts by loading titanuim dioxide film on flexible substrates

摘要

Disclosed are methods of making a photocatalyst by loading titanium dioxide film on a flexible substrate, comprising the steps of: (1) Preparing an active layer sol-gel by: (a) Making a precursor solution comprising n-butyl titanate, ethanol, diethanolamine, and water; (b) Adding a pore-forming agent selected from the group consisting of polyglycol, octadecylamine, and mixtures thereof to the precursor solution; and (c) Placing the resulting solution in a sealed gelatinization process for at least 3 days; and (2) Preparing an active TiO₂ photocatalyst layer by: (a) Coating a flexible substrate with the active layer sol-gel prepared according to step (1) using a pulling and coating process; (b) Drying the coated flexible substrate; and (c) Placing the coated, dried flexible substrate in a hydrothermal kettle for thermal crystallization in a mixed solvent of ethanol and water at 60-200° C. Further disclosed are methods wherein the precursor solution comprises titanium tetrachloride, ethanol, and water.