Title: The effect of MnO₂ concentration on the formation of MnO₂/ZnO thin films with bifunctional thermal insulation and photocatalytic self-cleaning performance

Authors: Mohd Rashid Yusof Hamid; Nurhidayatullaili Muhd Julkapli; Mohamad Fared Murshed; Mohd Shamsul Busnak; Mohd Imran Hilmi; Mohd Azam Mohd Adnan

Addresses: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia ' Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Research Group (AMMRG), Faculty of Engineering and Life Sciences, University of Selangor, 45600 Bestari Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ' Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Research Group (AMMRG), Faculty of Engineering and Life Sciences, University of Selangor, 45600 Bestari Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia ' Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Research Group (AMMRG), Faculty of Engineering and Life Sciences, University of Selangor, 45600 Bestari Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: This study focuses on fabricating manganese dioxide/zinc oxide (MnO₂/ZnO) thin films using a two-stage chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. The concentration effect of MnO₂ thin film for the second stage deposition will be optimised and selected based on their thermal conductivity behaviour. It was found out that the wettability showed an increase in the contact angle (CA) after the addition of ZnO, with the highest CA of 14.5°C for 12% of ZnO. The same sample also demonstrated commendable thermal performance after reaching a constant temperature of 35.9°C in 65 minutes compared to the uncoated glass substrate. All thin films indicated low photocatalytic activity, where the best sample (12% of ZnO loading) yielded only 6% degradation efficiency of 10 mgL^-1 malachite green (MG) as a model pollutant within 90 minutes. The porosity and agglomeration gradually increased following second stage deposition and ZnO introduction.

Keywords: wettability; dual functionality substrates; thin-film coating; energy-efficient smart window; self-cleaning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2022.124260

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2022 Vol.65 No.1, pp.80 - 93

Published online: 20 Jul 2022 *

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