Electrophoretic deposition of nanoscale TiO2: technology and applications

The importance of titania (TiO2) as the main component of photocatalytic and photovoltaic devices or its employment in sensors, biomedical coatings and as anticorrosion or antioxidation agent, is high-lighted by the increasing number of systems in which titania is being widely used. Many of the attractive applications of TiO2 require the manufacture of thin (and thick) films and layered structures. In this regard, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) has gained increasing attention over the last years to process TiO2 nanoparticles (n-TiO2) for production of a variety of TiO2 layers, films and coatings. This review compiles the different aspects involved in the fabrication of TiO2 coatings by EPD of n-TiO2, first focusing on the general aspects of the deposition process and the parameters involved, and considering further the specific requirements for given applications. The recent advances achieved are discussed and avenues for future research and innovations on the EPD of n-TiO2 are highlighted. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.