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Effects of geometric and crystal structures on the photoelectrical properties of highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2012

Danhong Li ,
Shiwei Lin ,
Shipu Li ,
Xiang Huang ,
Xiankun Cao  and
Jianbao Li
Danhong Li
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
Shiwei Lin*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
Shipu Li
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
Xiang Huang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
Xiankun Cao
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
Jianbao Li
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Application Technology of Chemical Materials in Hainan Superior Resources, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, People’s Republic of China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: linsw@hainu.edu.cn
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Abstract

The photoelectrical properties of highly ordered TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays have been systematically and quantitatively studied and found to be closely related to their geometric and crystal structures. The geometric characteristics, including the nanotube diameter and length, were modified by adjusting the anodization potentials and durations, while the crystal structure was modified by thermal annealing at different temperatures. The nanotube array samples with the mixed crystalline phases possess higher photoconversion efficiency than those with the single anatase or rutile phase. The optimal content of rutile phase is about twice of that of anatase phase. In terms of the influence of the geometric structure, the TNT arrays with larger inner diameters and longer tube lengths have better photoelectrical properties. A geometric roughness factor has been applied to describe the combinative effect of the geometric characteristics. The TNT sample with the geometric roughness factor of 125.32 shows the superior photoconversion efficiency of 13.2%. The underlying mechanism has also been discussed in detail.

Keywords

NanostructurePhotochemicalSemiconducting
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 27 , Issue 7 , 14 April 2012 , pp. 1029 - 1036
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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