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Optimized Spacing between TiO 2 Nanotubes for Enhanced Light Harvesting and Charge Transfer
Author(s) -
Ozkan Selda,
Nguyen Nhat Truong,
Mazare Anca,
Schmuki Patrik
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201801136
Subject(s) - materials science , anodizing , ethylene glycol , electrolyte , diethylene glycol , chemical engineering , electrode , electrochemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , composite material , aluminium , engineering
We investigate two distinctly different anodic TiO 2 nanotubular morphologies, spaced and close‐packed arrays. While the close‐packed tubular arrays are formed in ethylene glycol, spaced nanotubes (NTs), which have a regular gap between individual NTs, grow in a diethylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide‐based electrolyte. Depending on the electrolyte used for anodization, the morphology, crystal structure, and chemical composition of the resulting nanotubular layer vary from one another. This influences the electrochemical and photoelectrochemical activity of the NTs. Overall, we find that spaced NTs can not only provide enhanced charge‐transfer characteristics but can also show beneficial light absorption characteristics when used as a photo‐ or light‐harvesting electrode.