Substrate-dependent optical absorption characteristics of titanium dioxide thin films

A general method for preparing anatase TiO₂ treelike-nanoarrays on various metal wires for fiber dye-sensitized solar cells

Anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays were prepared on various metal wires (Ti, W, Ni, etc.) through one-step facile hydrothermal reaction. The anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays consist of long TiO2 nanowire trunks with direct charge transport channels, and a large number of short TiO2 nanorod branches with large surface areas. Fiber dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) based on the anatase TiO2 tree-like nanoarrays deposited on Ti wires can achieve outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.32%, while FDSSCs on W wires have lower PCE of 3.24% due to the formation of WO3 layer, which might enhance recombination of charges. When the substrate is changed to a Nicole oxide wire, a novel p-n heterojunction can be obtained. This universal method is simple, facile, and low cost for preparing anatase TiO2 treelike-nanoarrays on various metal wires, which may find potential applications in fabrication of optoelectronic devices.

Analysis of nanostructured porous films by measurement of adsorption isotherms with optical fiber and ellipsometry

An optical method to determine the nanostructure and the morphology of porous thin films is presented. This procedure is based on the response of a side-polished optical fiber with the film under study, when an adsorption-desorption cycle is carried out. Spectroscopic ellipsometry provides additional information about the optical properties and adsorption behavior of the film. Pore size distribution, anisotropy, and inhomogeneity of films can be determined by use of these two complementary techniques. To check the performances and suitability of the optical method, we have characterized a typical porous material: a TiO2 film deposited by evaporation. Water vapor has been used for the adsorption cycles. The well-known columnar structure of the evaporated TiO2 has been evidenced, and the relation between the nanostructure and the optical properties of the film is showed.

Annealing effect on ion-beam-sputtered titanium dioxide film

We found that the extinction coefficient of ion-beam-sputtered titanium dioxide films first decreased with increasing annealing temperature then increased drastically when annealing temperature was increased above ~200 degrees C for 24 h of annealing time. The decreasing extinction coefficient with annealing temperature was attributed to a reduction in absorption owing to oxidation of the film by annealing. The film structure remained amorphous to 200 degrees C annealing temperature. The drastic increase of extinction coefficients above ~200 degrees C was associated with the appearance of an anatase polycrystalline structure and was attributed to scattering by the polycrystalline structure. With shorter annealing time the transition temperature from amorphous to polycrystalline anatase was higher. Guidance for reducing the optical loss of laser mirrors is proposed.