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Abstract:
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Nano sized powders of TiO2 (titanium dioxide) and Nb2O5 (Niobium (V) oxide) were used to fabricate TiO2/Nb2O5
composites thin films by EPD (electrophoretic deposition) technique. The metal oxide powders, together with magnesium nitrate
hexahydrate pellets, were suspended in propan-2-ol inside an EPD cell. The electrodes, placed 1.2 cm apart, were partially immersed in
the suspension and a DC potential applied across them. Key EPD process parameters, which include applied DC electric field,
deposition time and solid concentration in suspension, were optimized through visual inspection and from UV-Vis-NIR
spectrophotometer spectra. The highest (55%) transmittance was obtained for films with deposition time of 90 s, powder concentration
of 0.01 g/40 mL, and 35 V DC (direct current) voltage. XRD micrographs confirmed that TiO2 and Nb2O5 particles were presented in
the composite film. SEM (scanning electron microscope) micrographs of the composite electrode thin films showed that porous films
of high quality with well controlled morphology were deposited by using the EPD technique. |