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Toward the Intrinsic Superiority of Aligned One‐Dimensional TiO 2 Nanostructures: the Role of Defect States in Electron Transport Process
Author(s) -
He Zhijuan,
Han Yanyang,
Liu Shanshan,
Cui Wei,
Qiao Yunping,
He Tao,
Wang Qianxi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.202001127
Subject(s) - nanorod , materials science , semiconductor , electron , nanostructure , calcination , nanotechnology , scattering , electron transport chain , electrode , optoelectronics , nanowire , electron scattering , substrate (aquarium) , optics , chemistry , physics , biochemistry , oceanography , quantum mechanics , geology , catalysis
Electrodes made up of aligned 1D semiconductor nanostructures have drawn much attention in photoelectrochemical applications, as they are expected to be ideal configuration for channeling electrons towards the substrate without lateral electron scattering. However, efforts were hardly made to optimize the defect states in such systems. Herein, we observed significant enhancement (∼20 fold) in photoelectrochemical performance of TiO 2 nanorod arrays (NRAs) after a simple calcination procedure. Through a series of structural and electrochemical characterizations, we revealed an underlying role of defects states in electron transport: even in electrodes composed of 1D TiO 2 nanorods, lateral electron scattering would be avoided, which was confirmed by measuring the trap‐free electron diffusion coefficient ( D 0 ), the electron transport process can be severely affected by defect states distributed in the band gap. The calcination procedure can bring structural optimization for TiO 2 NRAs, therefore facilitates electron transport process. Intrinsically, this work provides a structural view for realizing the superior performance of aligned 1D semiconductor nanostructures.