Abstract
A new method is demonstrated for fabricating TiO 2 nanoparticles. Transformation of TiO 2 nanotubes to truncated pyramid-like-shaped nanoparticles with a high percentage of photocatalytically active {001} facets has been observed in titanium dioxide (TiO 2) ordered nanotube arrays after thermal annealing in ambient fluorine. It was found that the nanotube-nanoparticle transformation resulted from catalytic reaction of fluorine ions (F -) from the electrolyte residues in long nanotubes grown by anodization in ethylene glycol + NH4F electrolyte. This transformation occurs at annealing conditions when evaporation of electrolyte residues in nanotubes is slow enough to remain until 500 °C, when this transition starts. The size of the formed TiO 2 nanoparticles depends on the fluorine concentration and can be controlled from 20 to 500 nm. The crystal properties of nanoparticle layers are superior compared to those of nanotube arrays. This work demonstrates a simple method for producing high-quality anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles and nanoparticle-based electrodes with a high ratio of reactive {001} facets.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 12954-12957 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
| Volume | 113 |
| Issue number | 30 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 30 2009 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Energy(all)
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films