Preparation and characterization of TiO2, ZnO, and TiO2/ZnO nanofilms via sol-gel process

The preparation of the TiO2, ZnO, and TiO2/ZnO nanofilms was conducted on glass via sol-gel process. The prepared film was detailedly characterized by means of OM, SEM, XRD, and EDS. The results showed that the obtained pure TiO2 was composed of nanoparticles. For pure ZnO it consisted of nanoparticles and large agglomerates. Both the microstructural morphology and the crystallization of the prepared TiO2/ZnO composite film were strongly related to the Ti/Zn ratio in the film. With a Ti/Zn ratio less than 1/1, the composite film was absence of cracks. Poor crystallization was definitely observed for the composite film with Ti/Zn ratio of 3/1 and 1/1. The EDS analysis revealed homogeneous distribution of Ti and Zn elements in the film. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.