Growth mechanism of titanium dioxide nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cells

J. E. Boercker; E. Enache-Pommer; E. S. Aydil

doi:10.1088/0957-4484/19/9/095604

Growth mechanism of titanium dioxide nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cells

J. E. Boercker, E. Enache-Pommer, E. S. Aydil

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Mesoporous films made of titanium dioxide nanowires are desirable for dye-sensitized solar cells because nanowires provide direct conduction pathways for photogenerated electrons. Anatase titanium dioxide nanowires with polycrystalline microstructure were synthesized on titanium foil using a three-step process. First, the top surface of the titanium foil was transformed to Na₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂ nanotubes through hydrothermal oxidation in NaOH. Next, the Na₂Ti₂O ₄(OH)₂ nanotubes were converted to H₂Ti ₂O₄(OH)₂ nanotubes by ion exchange. Finally, the H₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂ nanotubes were converted to polycrystalline anatase nanowires through a topotactic transformation. The film morphology evolution, crystal structure transformations and growth mechanism are described in detail. Titanium foil reacts with NaOH to form Na₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂ sheets, which exfoliate and spiral into nanotubes. The Na₂Ti₂O ₄(OH)₂ nanotubes are immersed in HCl solution to replace the Na⁺ ions with H⁺ ions. During the topotactic transformation of H₂Ti₂O₄(OH)₂ nanotubes to anatase TiO₂ nanowires, the sheets made of edge bonded TiO₆ octahedra in the H₂Ti₂O ₄(OH)₂ nanotubes dehydrate and move towards each other to form anatase crystals oriented along the nanotube axis which creates a polycrystalline nanowire. These mesoporous TiO₂ nanowire films were suitable for use as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	095604
Journal	Nanotechnology
Volume	19
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/19/9/095604
State	Published - Feb 5 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Bioengineering
General Chemistry
General Materials Science
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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10.1088/0957-4484/19/9/095604

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title = "Growth mechanism of titanium dioxide nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cells",

abstract = "Mesoporous films made of titanium dioxide nanowires are desirable for dye-sensitized solar cells because nanowires provide direct conduction pathways for photogenerated electrons. Anatase titanium dioxide nanowires with polycrystalline microstructure were synthesized on titanium foil using a three-step process. First, the top surface of the titanium foil was transformed to Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes through hydrothermal oxidation in NaOH. Next, the Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to H2Ti 2O4(OH)2 nanotubes by ion exchange. Finally, the H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to polycrystalline anatase nanowires through a topotactic transformation. The film morphology evolution, crystal structure transformations and growth mechanism are described in detail. Titanium foil reacts with NaOH to form Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 sheets, which exfoliate and spiral into nanotubes. The Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes are immersed in HCl solution to replace the Na+ ions with H+ ions. During the topotactic transformation of H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes to anatase TiO2 nanowires, the sheets made of edge bonded TiO6 octahedra in the H2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes dehydrate and move towards each other to form anatase crystals oriented along the nanotube axis which creates a polycrystalline nanowire. These mesoporous TiO2 nanowire films were suitable for use as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.",

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N2 - Mesoporous films made of titanium dioxide nanowires are desirable for dye-sensitized solar cells because nanowires provide direct conduction pathways for photogenerated electrons. Anatase titanium dioxide nanowires with polycrystalline microstructure were synthesized on titanium foil using a three-step process. First, the top surface of the titanium foil was transformed to Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes through hydrothermal oxidation in NaOH. Next, the Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to H2Ti 2O4(OH)2 nanotubes by ion exchange. Finally, the H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to polycrystalline anatase nanowires through a topotactic transformation. The film morphology evolution, crystal structure transformations and growth mechanism are described in detail. Titanium foil reacts with NaOH to form Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 sheets, which exfoliate and spiral into nanotubes. The Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes are immersed in HCl solution to replace the Na+ ions with H+ ions. During the topotactic transformation of H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes to anatase TiO2 nanowires, the sheets made of edge bonded TiO6 octahedra in the H2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes dehydrate and move towards each other to form anatase crystals oriented along the nanotube axis which creates a polycrystalline nanowire. These mesoporous TiO2 nanowire films were suitable for use as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.

AB - Mesoporous films made of titanium dioxide nanowires are desirable for dye-sensitized solar cells because nanowires provide direct conduction pathways for photogenerated electrons. Anatase titanium dioxide nanowires with polycrystalline microstructure were synthesized on titanium foil using a three-step process. First, the top surface of the titanium foil was transformed to Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes through hydrothermal oxidation in NaOH. Next, the Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to H2Ti 2O4(OH)2 nanotubes by ion exchange. Finally, the H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes were converted to polycrystalline anatase nanowires through a topotactic transformation. The film morphology evolution, crystal structure transformations and growth mechanism are described in detail. Titanium foil reacts with NaOH to form Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 sheets, which exfoliate and spiral into nanotubes. The Na2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes are immersed in HCl solution to replace the Na+ ions with H+ ions. During the topotactic transformation of H2Ti2O4(OH)2 nanotubes to anatase TiO2 nanowires, the sheets made of edge bonded TiO6 octahedra in the H2Ti2O 4(OH)2 nanotubes dehydrate and move towards each other to form anatase crystals oriented along the nanotube axis which creates a polycrystalline nanowire. These mesoporous TiO2 nanowire films were suitable for use as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.

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Growth mechanism of titanium dioxide nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cells

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