Charge Carrier Transport in Nanostructured Anatase TiO2 Films Assisted by the Self-Doping of Nanoparticles

Photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen generation coupled with reforming of glucose into valuable chemicals using a nanostructured WO3 photoanode

Coupling the photo-oxidation of biomass derived substrates with water splitting in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell is a broadly discussed approach intended to enhance efficiency of hydrogen generation at the cathode. Here, we report a PEC device employing a nanostructured semitransparent WO₃ photoanode that, irradiated with simulated solar light achieves large photocurrents of 6.5 mA cm^-2 through oxidation of glucose, a common carbohydrate available in nature that can be obtained by processing waste biomass. The attained photocurrents are in a large part due to the occurrence of the photocurrent doubling, where oxidation of glucose by the photogenerated positive hole is followed by injection by the formed intermediate of an electron into the conduction band of WO_3. Selection of an appropriate supporting electrolyte enabled effective reforming of glucose into valuable products: gluconic and glucaric acids, erythrose and arabinose with up to 64% total Faradaic yield attained at ca 15% glucose conversion.

The Effect of Photoinduced Surface Oxygen Vacancies on the Charge Carrier Dynamics in TiO2 Films

Metal-oxide semiconductors (MOS) are widely utilized for catalytic and photocatalytic applications in which the dynamics of charged carriers (e.g., electrons, holes) play important roles. Under operation conditions, photoinduced surface oxygen vacancies (PI-SOV) can greatly impact the dynamics of charge carriers. However, current knowledge regarding the effect of PI-SOV on the dynamics of hole migration in MOS films, such as titanium dioxide, is solely based upon volume-averaged measurements and/or vacuum conditions. This limits the basic understanding of hole-vacancy interactions, as they are not capable of revealing time-resolved variations during operation. Here, we measured the effect of PI-SOV on the dynamics of hole migration using time-resolved atomic force microscopy. Our findings demonstrate that the time constant associated with hole migration is strongly affected by PI-SOV, in a reversible manner. These results will nucleate an insightful understanding of the physics of hole dynamics and thus enable emerging technologies, facilitated by engineering hole-vacancy interactions.

Synthesizing and Evaluating the Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Ability of TiO2/SiO2 Nanocomposite for Silicate Coating

The TiO₂/SiO₂ nanocomposite has been synthesized by a sol-gel method and investigated the effect of the SiO₂ content (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 50%) on the rutile-to-anatase phase transition of TiO₂ NPs. In order to increase the photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite and decrease the price of material, the TiO₂/SiO₂ Nc with content SiO₂ of 15% sample is chosen for preparing silicate coating. The efficiency of photocatalytic MB and antibacterial ability in the air of W silicate coating (adding TiO₂/SiO₂ Nc (15%)) achieve almost 100% for 60 h and 94.35% for 3 h, respectively. While the efficiency of photocatalytic MB and antibacterial ability of WO silicate coating (adding commercial TiO₂/SiO₂) is about 25–30% for 60 h and 6.02% for 3 h, respectively. The presence of TiO₂/SiO₂ Nc (15%) with a larger surface area in W silicate coating can provide increased centers for absorption, photocatalytic reaction, and the contact between sample and bacteria lead to enhance the photocatalytic and antibacterial ability of W silicate coating.

Solution processed transparent anatase TiO2 nanoparticles/MoO3 nanostructures heterojunction: high performance self-powered UV detector for low-power and low-light applications

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are considered as the major players in energy saving technology of the future. Efforts are needed to further develop such devices, which are capable of operating efficiently at low driving potential as well as with weak illumination. Herein, we report an all-oxide, highly transparent TiO2/MoO3 bilayer film, with nanoparticulate anatase TiO2 as the platform, fabricated by a simple solution based method and demonstrate its use in UV photodetection. Photoconductivity measurement with 352 nm light reveals the self-powered UV detection capability of the device due to the built-in potential at the bilayer interface. The device exhibits a high photoresponsivity (46.05 A W-1), detectivity (2.84 × 1012 Jones) and EQE (16 223%) even with a weak illumination of 76 μW cm-2, at a low bias of only -1 V. The self-powered performance of the bilayer device is comparable to that of commercial Si photodetectors as well as other such UV detectors reported based on metal oxide heterojunctions. The improved and faster photoresponse shown by the device is due to the formation of an effective heterojunction, as evidenced by XPS, electrochemical and I-V studies. It can be further attributed to the better charge transport through the densely aligned nanostructures, reduced recombination and the better mobility of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles. The performance is best-in-class and proves the potential of the transparent heterojunction to be used in highly responsive, self-powered UV detectors for low bias, low light applications.

The unexpected effect of vacancies and wrinkling on the electronic properties of MoS2 layers

We report a combined experimental/theoretical approach to study the connection of S-vacancies and wrinkling on MoS₂ layers, and how this feature produces significant changes in the electronic structure and reactivity of this 2D material.

2D Porous TiO2 Single-Crystalline Nanostructure Demonstrating High Photo-Electrochemical Water Splitting Performance

Porous single crystals are promising candidates for solar fuel production owing to their long range charge diffusion length, structural coherence, and sufficient reactive sites. Here, a simple template-free method of growing a selectively branched, 2D anatase TiO₂ porous single crystalline nanostructure (PSN) on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate is demonstrated. An innovative ion exchange-induced pore-forming process is designed to successfully create high porosity in the single-crystalline nanostructure with retention of excellent charge mobility and no detriment to crystal structure. PSN TiO₂ film delivers a photocurrent of 1.02 mA cm^-2 at a very low potential of 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for photo-electrochemical water splitting, closing to the theoretical value of TiO₂ (1.12 mA cm^-2 ). Moreover, the current-potential curve featuring a small potential window from 0.1 to 0.4 V versus RHE under one-sun illumination has a near-ideal shape predicted by the Gartner Model, revealing that the charge separation and surface reaction on the PSN TiO₂ photoanode are very efficient. The photo-electrochemical water splitting performance of the films indicates that the ion exchange-assisted synthesis strategy is effective in creating large surface area and single-crystalline porous photoelectrodes for efficient solar energy conversion.

Controlled synthesis of Sn-based oxides via a hydrothermal method and their visible light photocatalytic performances

Controlled synthesize of Sn-oxides was achieved via a facile hydrothermal method with SnCl₂ as precursor. A visible light photocatalytic activity of SnO₂ can be induced by doping with Sn²⁺ or coupling with SnO.

Photolithographically Patterned TiO2 Films for Electrolyte-Gated Transistors

Metal oxides constitute a class of materials whose properties cover the entire range from insulators to semiconductors to metals. Most metal oxides are abundant and accessible at moderate cost. Metal oxides are widely investigated as channel materials in transistors, including electrolyte-gated transistors, where the charge carrier density can be modulated by orders of magnitude upon application of relatively low electrical bias (2 V). Electrolyte gating offers the opportunity to envisage new applications in flexible and printed electronics as well as to improve our current understanding of fundamental processes in electronic materials, e.g. insulator/metal transitions. In this work, we employ photolithographically patterned TiO2 films as channels for electrolyte-gated transistors. TiO2 stands out for its biocompatibility and wide use in sensing, electrochromics, photovoltaics and photocatalysis. We fabricated TiO2 electrolyte-gated transistors using an original unconventional parylene-based patterning technique. By using a combination of electrochemical and charge carrier transport measurements we demonstrated that patterning improves the performance of electrolyte-gated TiO2 transistors with respect to their unpatterned counterparts. Patterned electrolyte-gated (EG) TiO2 transistors show threshold voltages of about 0.9 V, ON/OFF ratios as high as 1 × 10(5), and electron mobility above 1 cm(2)/(V s).

Single-Component TiO2 Tubular Microengines with Motion Controlled by Light-Induced Bubbles

In this work, light-controlled bubble-propelled single-component metal oxide tubular microengines have for the first time been demonstrated. For such a simple single-component TiO2 tubular microengine in H2O2 aqueous solution under UV irradiation, when the inner diameter and length of the tube are regulated, the O2 molecules will nucleate and grow into bubbles preferentially on the inner concave surface rather than on the outer surface, resulting in a vital propulsion of the microengine. More importantly, the motion state and speed can be modulated reversibly, fast (the response time is less than 0.2 s) and wirelessly by adjusting UV irradiation. Consequently, the as-developed TiO2 tubular microengine promises potential challenged applications related to photocatalysis, such as "on-the-fly" photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutes and photocatalytic inactivation of bacteria due to the low cost, single component, and simple structure, as well as the facile fabrication in a large-scale.

Theoretical Verification of Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation Using Nanocrystalline TiO2 Electrodes

Mesoscopic anatase nanocrystalline TiO₂ (nc-TiO₂) electrodes play effective and efficient catalytic roles in photoelectrochemical (PEC) H₂O oxidation under short circuit energy gap excitation conditions. Interfacial molecular orbital structures of (H₂O)₃ &OH(TiO₂)₉H as a stationary model under neutral conditions and the radical-cation model of [(H₂O)₃&OH(TiO₂)₉H]⁺ as a working nc-TiO₂ model are simulated employing a cluster model OH(TiO₂)₉H (Yamashita/Jono’s model) and a H₂O cluster model of (H₂O)₃ to examine excellent H₂O oxidation on nc-TiO₂ electrodes in PEC cells. The stationary model, (H₂O)₃&OH(TiO₂)₉H reveals that the model surface provides catalytic H₂O binding sites through hydrogen bonding, van der Waals and Coulombic interactions. The working model, [(H₂O)₃&OH(TiO₂)₉H]⁺ discloses to have a very narrow energy gap (0.3 eV) between HOMO and LUMO potentials, proving that PEC nc-TiO₂ electrodes become conductive at photo-irradiated working conditions. DFT-simulation of stepwise oxidation of a hydroxide ion cluster model of OH⁻(H₂O)₃, proves that successive two-electron oxidation leads to hydroxyl radical clusters, which should give hydrogen peroxide as a precursor of oxygen molecules. Under working bias conditions of PEC cells, nc-TiO₂ electrodes are now verified to become conductive by energy gap photo-excitation and the electrode surface provides powerful oxidizing sites for successive H₂O oxidation to oxygen via hydrogen peroxide.

WO3-enhanced TiO2 nanotube photoanodes for solar water splitting with simultaneous wastewater treatment

Composite WO3/TiO2 nanostructures with optimal properties that enhance solar photoconversion reactions were developed, characterized, and tested. The TiO2 nanotubes were prepared by anodization of Ti foil and used as substrates for WO3 electrodeposition. The WO3 electrodeposition parameters were controlled to develop unique WO3 nanostructures with enhanced photoelectrochemical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the nanomaterials with optimal photocurrent density have the same ordered structure as TiO2 nanotubes, with an external tubular nanostructured WO3 layer. Diffuse reflectance spectra showed an increase in the visible absorption relative to bare TiO2 nanotubes and in the UV absorption relative to bare WO3 films. Incident simulated solar photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) increased from 30% (for bare WO3) to 50% (for tubular WO3/TiO2 composites). With the addition of diverse organic pollutants, the photocurrent densities exhibited more than a 5-fold increase. Chemical oxygen demand measurements showed the simultaneous photodegradation of organic pollutants. The results of this work showed that the unique structure and composition of these composite WO3/TiO2 materials enhance the IPCE efficiencies, optical properties, and photodegradation performance compared with the parent materials.

Electrospun TiO(2) fiber composite photoelectrodes for water splitting

This work has focused on the development of electrospun TiO2 fiber composite photoelectrodes for hydrogen production by water splitting. For comparison, similar photoelectrodes were also developed using commercial TiO2 (Aeroxide P25) nanoparticles (NPs). Dispersions of either fibers or P25 NPs were used to make homogenous TiO2 films on fluorine-doped SnO2 (FTO) glass substrates by a doctor blade (DB) technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a much lower packing density of the DB fibers, with respect to DB-P25 TiO2 NPs; this was also directly reflected by the higher photocurrent measured for the NPs when irradiating the photoelectrodes at a light intensity of 1.5AM (1 sun, 1000 W/m(2)). For a better comparison of fibers vs. NPs, composite photoelectrodes by dip-coating (onto FTO) TiO2 sol-gel (SG) matrixes containing an equal amount (5 or 20 wt %) of either fibers or P25 NPs were also investigated. It emerged that the photoactivity of the fibers was significantly higher. For composites containing 5 wt % TiO2 fibers, a photocurrent of 0.5 mA/cm(2) (at 0.23 V vs Ag/AgCl) was measured, whereas 5 wt % P25 NPs only provided 0.2 mA/cm(2). When increasing to 20 wt % fibers or NPs, the photocurrent decreased, because of the formation of microcracks in the photoelectrodes, because of the shrinkage of the sol-gel. The high photoactivity of the fiber-based electrodes could be confirmed by incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) measurements. Remarkably, the IPCE of composites containing 5 wt % fibers was between 35% and 40% in the region of 380-320 nm, and when accounting for transmission/reflection losses, the absorbed photon to current efficiency (APCE) was consistently over 60% between 380 nm and 320 nm. The superior photoactivity is attributed to the enhanced electron transport in the electrospun fibers, with respect to P25 NPs. According to this study, it is clear that the electronic connectivity ensured by the sol-gel also contributes positively to the enhanced photocurrent.

The electrochemistry of nanostructured titanium dioxide electrodes

Several of the multiple applications of titanium dioxide nanomaterials are directly related to the introduction or generation of charge carriers in the oxide. Thus, electrochemistry plays a central role in the understanding of the factors that must be controlled for the optimization of the material for each application. Herein, the main conceptual tools needed to address the study of the electrochemical properties of TiO(2) nanostructured electrodes are reviewed, as well as the electrochemical methods to prepare and modify them. Particular attention is paid to the dark electrochemical response of these nanomaterials and its direct connection with the TiO(2) electronic structure, interfacial area and grain boundary density. The physical bases for the generation of currents under illumination are also presented. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the kinetics of charge-carrier transfer to solution determines the sign and value of the photocurrent. Furthermore, methods for extracting kinetic information from open-circuit potential and photocurrent measurements are briefly presented. Some aspects of the combination of electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements are also dealt with. Finally, some of the applications of TiO(2) nanostructured samples derived from their electrochemical properties are concisely reviewed. Particular attention is paid to photocatalytic processes and, to a lesser extent, to photosynthetic reactions as well as to applications related to energy from the aspects of both saving (electrochromic layers) and accumulation (batteries). The use of TiO(2) nanomaterials in solar cells is not covered, as a number of reviews have been published addressing this issue.

Mesoporous TiO(2): comparison of classical sol-gel and nanoparticle based photoelectrodes for the water splitting reaction

This paper describes a systematic comparison of the photoelectrochemical properties of mesoporous TiO(2) films prepared by the two most prevalent templating methods: The use of preformed, crystalline nanoparticles is generally considered advantageous compared to the usage of molecular precursors such as TiCl(4), since the latter requires a separate heat treatment at elevated temperature to induce crystallization. However, our photoelectrochemical experiments clearly show that sol-gel derived mesoporous TiO(2) films cause an about 10 times higher efficiency for the water splitting reaction than their counterparts obtained from crystalline TiO(2) nanoparticles. This result indicates that for electrochemical applications the performance of nanoparticle-based metal oxide films might suffer from insufficient electronic connectivity.

Oxide thin films based on ordered arrays of 1D nanostructure. A possible approach toward bridging material gap in catalysis

TiO(2) thin films based on ordered arrays of 1D nanostructures (nanorods, nanotubes) are proposed as suitable model materials in studies for bridging material and complexity gap in catalysis. The samples were prepared by anodic oxidation of Ti foils. By changing the preparation conditions (pH, procedure of application of the potential), different types of 1D nanostructure and different characteristics of the ordered array of these 1D nanostructures could be obtained. This allows studying the effect of nanodimension and 3D nanoarchitecture on the characteristics and reactivity of these catalysts. It is also shown that TiO(2) thin films characterized by a well-ordered array of titania nanorod behave as photonic materials, thus showing unique properties of light harvesting efficiency.

Design, synthesis and photoelectrochemical properties of hexagonal metallomacrocycles based on triphenylamine: [M6(4,4′-bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridinyl)triphenylamine)6(X)12]; [M = Fe(ii), PF6−and Zn(ii), BF4−]

Synthesis of a novel bis(terpyridine) ligand, 4,4'-bis(2,2':6',2''-terpyridinyl)triphenylamine, utilizing triphenylamine, as a specific angle controller, has led to the self-assembly of a unique hexagonal metallomacrocycle family, [Fe6(2)6(PF6)12] and [Zn6(2)6(BF4)12], utilizing terpyridine-metal(II)-terpyridine connectivity. The crystal structure of the novel ligand shows that the angle between the two terpyridinyl moieties is 119.69 degrees , which enabled the formation of the hexagonal-shaped macrocycles. The crystal packing architectures of this starting ligand revealed channels induced by solvent encapsulation. Following complexation of this ligand with transition metals [Fe(II) or Zn(II)] in a one-pot reaction, the resultant structures were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, UV/Vis and mass spectroscopies. The expected metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT; lambda(max) = 582 nm) and emission (lambda(em) = 575 nm) characteristics were exhibited by both [Fe6(2)6(PF6)12] and[Zn6(2)6(BF4)12]. The photoelectrochemical characteristics of these hexagonal metallomacrocycles demonstrate that they can be used as sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Preparation, characterization and photoelectrochemical study of mixed C60–Starburst®PAMAM G0.0 dendrimer films anchored on the surface of nanocrystalline TiO2semiconductor electrodes

Nanocrystalline TiO2 silanized electrodes were prepared and further modified in a sequential fashion with C60 and Starburst PAMAM G0.0 dendrimers, resulting in a novel photoelectrochemical sensitization film that showed particularly high photocurrent (IPCE) and global photoconversion efficiencies (eta).

Photoelectrochemical properties of platinum(IV) chloride surface modified TiO2

Anatase (TH), rutile (TiO2-R), and a mixture of anatase and rutile (P25) were surface modified by chemisorbed chloroplatinate(IV) complexes. All materials gave rise to anodic photocurrents when deposited on conducting glass and irradiated in the wavelength range of 330-650 nm. In the presence of formate "current-doubling" factors of 5-7 were measured. Flatband potentials were obtained by the suspension method through recording the photovoltage as function of the pH value. The value of -0.54 V as found for TH is shifted to -0.49, -0.45, and -0.28 V (vs. NHE, pH = 7) when the surface is covered by 1, 2, and 4 wt% of H2[PtCl6], respectively. The flatband potential shifts by 50 and 60 mV per pH unit for P25 and 4% H2[PtCl6]/TH, respectively, as found by a novel method based on the use of different pH-independent redox systems of the bipyridinium type. Whereas the rutile based material was inactive, the TH and P25 samples photocatalyzed the mineralization of 4-CP with visible light. Moreover, the capability of H2[PtCl6]/TH to mineralize also cyanuric acid, the end-product of atrazine decomposition in photocatalytic processes with unmodified TiO2, was observed upon UV and also visible light irradiation. From these experimental results an energy diagram is proposed to rationalize the reactions observed.

Insight Into Electric Potential Distribution Within Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide Films

Charge transport and potential distribution in mesoporous semiconductor films operating in an electrolyte, especially those composed of TiO2 nanoparticles, are still the subject of wide debate. Herein we describe a series of experiments, performed under band-gap energy illumination of nanostructured TiO2 films, intended to shed new light on the actual electric potential profile across such three-dimensional electrode. Our approach stems from quite a general observation that addition of various electron acceptors to a solution containing an efficient hole scavenger (e.g., methanol, formic acid) results in a marked drop of the maximum photocurrent at the mesoporous TiO2 film electrodes whatever the applied anodic bias might be. We have chosen an electron acceptor, MV2+ dication, which-due to its negative redox potential, more negative than that of the bottom of conduction band of TiO2 in acidic media - causes a drop of the photooxidation current only in alkaline but not in acidic solutions of hole scavengers. Measurements of the incident photon-to-current efficiencies as a function of wavelength show that the drop of the photocurrent after the MV2+ addition, observed in alkaline formate solution extends practically over the whole range of wavelengths. As the optical penetration depth in TiO2 for the wavelengths close to its band edge is expected to match approximately the chosen film thickness, we can conclude that major part of the electric potential drop in the TiO2 electrode occurs actually close to the back contact.

Crystallographically oriented mesoporous WO3 films: synthesis, characterization, and applications

Mesoporous semiconducting films consisting of preferentially orientated monoclinic-phase nanocrystals of tungsten trioxide have been prepared using a novel version of the sol-gel method. Transformations undergone by a colloidal solution of tungstic acid, stabilized by an organic additive such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) 300, as a function of the annealing temperature have been followed by means of a confocal Raman microscope. The shape and size of WO3 nanoparticles, the porosity, and the properties of the films depend critically on preparation parameters, such as the tungstic acid/PEG ratio, the PEG chain length, and the annealing conditions. Well-crystallized WO3 films combine excellent photoresponse to the blue region of the solar spectrum, up to 500 nm, with good transparency at wavelengths larger than 550 nm. Particular applications of these nanocrystalline WO3 films include photoelectrochemical and electrochromic devices.