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Low‐Temperature Route to Crystalline Titania Network Structures in Thin Films
Author(s) -
Rawolle Monika,
Braden Erik V.,
Niedermeier Martin A.,
Magerl David,
Sarkar Kuhu,
Fröschl Thomas,
Hüsing Nicola,
Perlich Jan,
MüllerBuschbaum Peter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201200056
Subject(s) - materials science , thin film , crystallinity , scanning electron microscope , chemical engineering , nanostructure , band gap , phase (matter) , sol gel , ethylene glycol , rutile , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
A low temperature route to crystalline titania nanostructures in thin films is presented. The synthesis is performed by the combination of sol‐gel processes, using a novel precursor for this kind of application, an ethylene glycol‐modified titanate (EGMT), and the structure templating by micro‐phase separation of a di‐block copolymer. Different temperatures around 100 °C are investigated. The nanostructure morphology is examined with scanning electron microscopy, whereas the crystal structure and thin film compositions are examined by scattering methods. Optoelectronic measurements reveal the band‐gap energies and sub‐band states of the titania films. An optimum titania thin film is created at temperatures not higher than 90 °C, regarding sponge‐like morphology with pore sizes of 25–30 nm, porosity of up to 71 % near the sample surface, and crystallinity of titania in the rutile phase. The low temperature during synthesis is of high importance for photovoltaic applications and renders the resulting titania films interesting for future energy solutions.