Wettability control of a solid surface by utilizing photocatalysis

Abstract

This paper describes a strategic approach utilizing a photocatalyst to obtain a solid surface with a high level of sustainable wettability (hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity). We clarified that the substances adsorbed on the surface could be successfully removed by photocatalytic oxidation resulting in sustainable high hydrophilic and high hydrophobic states. In addition to the conventional redox reaction, photoinduced wettability conversion plays an inevitable role in obtaining a superhydrophilic state. Both of the aforementioned photoinduced properties can be applied to sustain a high level of hydrophilicity. A superhydrophobic surface can be designed based on the Cassie theory. However, a combination with the usual TiO2 photocatalyst leads to a decrease in hydrophobicity because the photocatalyst becomes hydrophilic itself as a result of the photoinduced hydrophilic reaction. Utilizing the newly developed hydroxyapatite doped with Ti(IV) ions (TiHAP) photocatalyst, which has a considerably reduced hydrophilic effect, a superhydrophobic surface can be sustained after exposing it to outdoor conditions for a long period. As for sustaining the hydrophobic state, the introduction of a material design based on dynamic wettability leads to the possibility of novel functional materials with a high dynamic hydrophobicity. Our study shows that a high level of wettability (hydrophilic or hydrophobic) of a solid surface as that sustained by biologic action is possible by utilizing photocatalysis.