Preparation of superhydrophilic mesoporous SiO2 thin films

Using a simple sol–gel/spin-coating method, mesoporous SiO2 thin films were prepared on glass slides. All of the prepared thin films were colorless and transparent as original glass substrates. XRD and TEM measurements revealed that the prepared SiO2 thin films coated 3–12 times possess hexagonal mesoporous structure. The mesoporous SiO2 thin films performed the superhydrophilicity and antifogging property in the absence of UV light irradiation. The results suggested that the appropriate film thickness and mesoporous structures can improve the surface superhydrophilic behavior of SiO2 thin films.