Hydrophilic/hydrophobic conversion of Ni-doped TiO2 thin films on glass substrates

Nickel-doped titanium oxide thin films were prepared on soda–lime–silica glass substrates by using a metal naphthenate. Films prefired at 500 °C for 10 min were finally annealed at 600 °C for 30 min in air. Contact angle measurement was used for analyzing hydrophilic/hydrophobic conversion. NiTiO3, rutile and anatase peaks were obtained for the film after nickel doping. The film containing nickel showed a shift towards the visible in the absorption threshold.