In order to improve the dispersion of nano-TiO₂ particles and enhance its self-cleaning properties, including photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and surface hydrophilicity, we prepared nano-TiO₂-coated SiO₂ microsphere composite self-cleaning materials (SiO₂-TiO₂) by co-grinding SiO₂ microspheres and TiO₂ soliquid and calcining the ground product. The structure, morphology, and self-cleaning properties of the SiO₂-TiO₂ were characterized. The characterization results showed that the degradation efficiency of methyl orange by SiO₂-TiO₂ was 97%, which was significantly higher than that obtained by pure nano-TiO₂. The minimum water contact angle of SiO₂-TiO₂ was 8°, indicating strong hydrophilicity and the good self-cleaning effect. The as-prepared SiO₂-TiO₂ was characterized by the nano-TiO₂ particles uniformly coated on the SiO₂ microspheres and distributed in the gap among the microspheres. The nano-TiO₂ particles were in an anatase phase with the particle size of 15-20 nm. The nano-TiO₂ particles were combined with SiO₂ microspheres via the dehydroxylation of hydroxyl groups on their surfaces.
Keywords: SiO2; hydrophilicity; nano-TiO2; self-cleaning.