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Light-induced amphiphilic surfaces

Abstract

The ability to control the surface wettability of solid substrates is important in many situations. Here we report the photogeneration of a highly amphiphilic (both hydrophilic and oleophilic) titanium dioxide surface. The unique character of this surface is ascribed to the microstructured composition of hydrophilic and oleophilic phases, produced by ultraviolet irradiation. The result is a TiO2-coated glass which is antifogging and self-cleaning.

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Figure 1: a, A hydrophobic surface before ultraviolet irradiation.
Figure 2: FFM images of a rutile TiO2(110) single crystal surface.

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Wang, R., Hashimoto, K., Fujishima, A. et al. Light-induced amphiphilic surfaces. Nature 388, 431–432 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/41233

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