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Peptization–Hydrothermal Method as a Surfactant‐Free Process toward Nanorod‐Like Anatase TiO 2 Nanocrystals
Author(s) -
Li Shuang,
Li Yaogang,
Wang Hongzhi,
Fan Wugang,
Zhang Qinghong
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.200900371
Subject(s) - nanorod , anatase , peptization , chemical engineering , hydrothermal circulation , nanocrystal , crystallite , dye sensitized solar cell , chemistry , hydrothermal synthesis , adsorption , materials science , nanotechnology , photocatalysis , crystallography , organic chemistry , electrolyte , catalysis , electrode , engineering
The transparent TiO 2 sol contained of anatase crystallites was prepared by peptization of anatase TiO 2 precipitates. With the hydrothermal treatment of TiO 2 sol at 150 °C, the dispersible and nanorod‐like TiO 2 nanocrystals were formed by an oriented attachment mechanism. After further hydrothermal treatment of the mixture of nanorod‐like TiO 2 nanocrystals and the original sol, branched and nanoring‐like nanostructures in the anatase phase were obtained. The as‐prepared TiO 2 nanocrystals were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, FT‐Raman spectrometry, UV/Vis absorption spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM results indicated that TiO 2 nanocrystals were nanorod‐like, and more complex microstructures such as the ring‐like and branched TiO 2 nanostructures with diameters less than 10 nm were formed especially in the two‐step hydrothermal treatment. The adsorption of ruthenium dye (N719) over the nanocrystals with different microstructures was investigated. The adsorption results showed the nanorod‐like anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals had a high capacity for the ruthenium dye adsorption. The powders were used as electrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells and showed a conversion efficiency of 5.75 % under 1 sun illumination unit of simulated sunlight. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)