Multifunctional Nanocomposite Thin Films by Aerosol-Assisted CVD

The aerosol-assisted (AA)CVD reaction of titanium isopropoxide and a solution of preformed tin dioxide nanoparticles leads to the production of titanium dioxide/tin dioxide nanocomposite thin films on glass substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies show that film composition and morphology are linked, with larger island sizes being observed as more tin dioxide nanoparticles are incorporated into the films. Reflectance measurements performed on the nanocomposite thin films show an increase in reflection in the infrared (IR) portion of the spectrum with increased tin dioxide nanoparticle incorporation. Photocatalysis experiments indicate that the nanocomposite films are photo-active with irradiation by 365 nm light. The nanocomposite thin films display both low-emissivity and self-cleaning functionalities; and as such they are multifunctional.