Modification of polyethylene terephthalate track etched membranes by planar magnetron sputtered Ti/TiO2 thin films

Highlights: • Surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate track membranes using magnetron sputtering. • Planar magnetron sputtering of Ti and TiO₂ on top of a porous polymeric support. • Wetting, morphological, and compositional study of metallised polymer membranes. This study investigates the surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate track-etched membranes by planar magnetron sputtering of titanium and titanium dioxide thin films to improve its hydrophilicity and photocatalytic activity. After cold plasma treatment to enhanced adhesion, Ti thin films were deposited by planar magnetron sputtering and TiO₂ thin films by reactive magnetron sputtering in an Ar-O₂ gas atmosphere. The morphology of the deposited thin films was characterised using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pores retained a mostly circular shape. However, the modified track membrane's surface pore diameter reduced from 0.2 µm to 0.15 µm for Ti coated samples and 0.08 µm for Ti-TiO₂ coated samples. Structural studies using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy of Ti and TiO₂ thin films revealed the intricate composition of the sputtered thin films which was a result of the complexity of sputtering on top of the porous polymer support. Additional investigations in surface wettability and bandgap showed a significant change in the track membrane surface's hydrophilicity and photocatalytic properties after depositing TiO₂-Ti, adding to the self-cleaning properties of the coated TM. The bandgap of the film was 3.1 eV and of the indirect type. Both Ti and TiO₂-Ti sputtering over the TM surface significantly reduced the water contact angle from 72° for untreated PET to 43° and 45° for Ti-TM and TiO₂-Ti-TM, respectively. This study shows that planar magnetron sputtering is a viable approach to surface modification of a porous polymeric support, such as track-etched membranes. The sputtered coating enhanced membrane hydrophilicity, thereby reducing the chance of surface fouling by organic substances, which leads to improved self-cleaning properties.