Formation of a TiO2 Micronetwork on a UV-Absorbing SiO2-Based Glass Surface by Excimer Laser Irradiation

We report on the preparation of TiO2 micronetworks on a UV-absorbing Na2O−TiO2−SiO2 glass surface by excimer laser irradiation, a technique we have called laser-induced superficial phase separation. The TiO2 micronetworks that were formed on the etched glass surface were in the rutile crystalline phase and exhibited a photocatalytic capability. We were also able to form a range of TiO2 micronetworks in an array of 20-μm holes. This flexible formation of photocatalytic TiO2 networks on a glass surface without any heat treatments could enable a new route for developing novel microdevices, such as monolithic microfluidics with light-catalyzed reactions and miniaturized solar batteries.