Recently, New Materials Preparation group (Prof. Masahashi’s group) and Osaka Prefecture University have succeeded in the development of the rutile type TiO2 showing excellent water adsorptivity and superhydrophilicity as well as photocatalyst performance under the collaboration with TIG Ltd. in Osaka. The oxide was formed on Ti and its alloys by anode oxidation technique controlling electrochemical conditions, and showed rutile form as being better photocatalytic activity than that of anatase. In addition, superhydrophilicity was confirmed without UV illumination, wherein unprecedented performance to let a water droplet impregnate at high speed inside was observed. These characteristics are probably ascribable to high crystallinity of rutile form with 15-30 nm crystallites and nano-sized pores in microstructures. We can expect wide development of this oxide in the application such as cellular phone, the frame of glasses, medical materials, and water purification. This result was reported in Nikkei-Sangyo Shimbun (July 1st, 2008), Kahoku Shimpo (July 27th) and Tekkou Shimbun (August 5th).
Prof. Masahashi’s group （New Materials Preparation group, Osaka Center for Industrial Materials Research）