Synthesis of a perpendicular TiO2 nanosheet film with the superhydrophilic property without UV irradiation.

A method was developed for preparing perpendicular TiO2 nanosheet films from titanate nanosheet films produced on a titanium metal sheet by hydrothermal treatment with aqueous urea. The method is based on the consideration of some important points relating to the thermodynamics of nucleation and crystal growth. The resulting anatase TiO2 nanosheet films showed a specific superhydrophilicity without the need for any prior UV irradiation.