Modification of Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) Track-Etched Membranes with Titanium Dioxide by Arc Physical Vapor Deposition
Corresponding email: i.korolkov@inp.kz
Published at : 31 Jul 2026
Volume : IJtech
Vol 17, No 4 (2026)
DOI : https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v17i4.8346
| Ilya E. Kuklin | Ural Federal University, 620002, Mira str. 19, Ekaterinburg, Russia |
| Ilya V. Korolkov | 1. The Institute of Nuclear Physics, 050032, Ibragimov str., 1, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2. L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satpaev str., 2, 010008 Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Nikolai R. Barashev | Ural Federal University, 620002, Mira str. 19, Ekaterinburg, Russia |
| Nikolai A. Khlebnikov | Ural Federal University, 620002, Mira str. 19, Ekaterinburg, Russia |
| Aigerim Kh. Shakayeva | 1. The Institute of Nuclear Physics, 050032, Ibragimov str., 1, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2. L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satpaev str., 2, 010008 Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Nurdaulet Zhumanazar | 1. The Institute of Nuclear Physics, 050032, Ibragimov str., 1, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2. L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satpaev str., 2, 010008 Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Arman B. Yeszhanov | 1. The Institute of Nuclear Physics, 050032, Ibragimov str., 1, Almaty, Kazakhstan 2. L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Satpaev str., 2, 010008 Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Evgeny V. Polyakov | Institute of Solid State Chemistry, UB RAS, 91, Pervomaiskaya str., 620108, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation |
In this study, TiO2 coatings were deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membranes using vacuum-arc ion-plasma deposition (Arc-PVD) at deposition times from 0.5 to 8 min to obtain multifunctional filtration materials. The influence of deposition parameters on membrane surface morphology, pore structure, roughness, crystallinity, mechanical properties, wettability, and photocatalytic activity was systematically investigated. Surface characterization by SEM and AFM revealed progressive pore constriction from 200 to 93 nm with increasing deposition time, accompanied by particle growth and changes in surface topography, reflected in increased roughness (1.7–4.1 nm) and waviness (4–25.2 nm). X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of nanocrystalline anatase at shorter deposition times, while prolonged deposition (8 min) resulted in the appearance of a secondary brookite phase. Increasing the deposition time reduced the lattice strain and dislocation density, thereby improving the coating hardness and mechanical stability. Under UV irradiation, the TiO2 coatings exhibited photocatalytic activity toward hydroquinone oxidation, achieving approximately 70–73% degradation after 14 h. The apparent reaction rate constant reached 5 × 10-5 s-1, with maximum activity observed for the coating deposited for 120 s, which is comparable to the benchmark TiO2 photocatalyst Degussa P25. Compared with conventional magnetron sputtering approaches, Arc-PVD provides a highly ionized plasma flux that enables deposition of dense nanostructured TiO2 coatings with enhanced adhesion on temperature-sensitive polymer substrates while preserving pore connectivity. The ability to control pore geometry and impart photocatalytic functionality demonstrates the potential of Arc-PVD-modified track-etched membranes for antifouling, self-cleaning, and advanced water purification applications.
Ion-plasma spraying; Photocatalytic activity; Surface modification; Track-etched membranes; Titanium dioxide; Vacuum-arc
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