Structural and photoelectrochemical properties of porous TiO2 nanofibers decorated with Fe2O3 by sol-flame

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2014, Vol.16 (8), Article 2577
• Main Authors: Sobti, N., Bensouici, A., Coloma, F., Untiedt, C., Achour, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalytic methods; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Quantum wires; Research Paper; Visible and ultraviolet spectra
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2577-x

The hybrid structure of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles/TiO 2 nanofibers (NFs), combines the merits of large surface areas of TiO 2 NFs and absorption in ultraviolet light–visible light range. This structure can be used for many applications such as photoelectrochemical water splitting and photo-catalysis. Here, a sol-flame method is used for depositing Fe 2 O 3 on TiO 2 NFs that were prepared by hydrothermal on Ti sheets. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance, Raman, and XPS. The results revealed the formation of rutile and anatase crystalline phases together with Fe 2 O 3 . This process moves the absorption threshold of TiO 2 NFs support into visible spectrum range and enhances the photocurrent in comparison to bare TiO 2 NFs, although no hole scavenger was used. The impedance measurement at low and high frequencies revealed an increase in series resistance and a decrease in resistance of charge transfer with sol-flame treatment time. A mechanism for explaining the charge transfer in these TiO 2 NFs decorated with Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles was proposed.