HREM, TEM and XRD observation of nanocrystalline phases in TiO2 obtained by the sol-gel method

• Published in: Materials letters 1997-05, Vol.31 (1-2), p.127-131
• Main Authors: TONEJC, A. M, TURKOVIC, A, GOTIC, M, MUSIC, S, VUKOVIC, M, TROJKO, R, TONEJC, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Clusters, nanoparticles, and nanocrystalline materials; Colloidal state and disperse state; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Disperse systems; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals; Physics; Porous materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/s0167-577x(96)00257-1

The microstructural and chemical properties of nanosized TiO2, obtained by the sol-gel procedure, were investigated. The specific surface area was dependent on modifications of the general sol-gel procedure. A gradual decrease of the specific surface area (BET) from 169.9 to 2.7 m2/g with an increase of the calcination temperature up to 983 K was observed. At 913 K rutile was observed, together with a small amount of anatase. The grain size of the anatase phase changed from 4.5 plus or minus 2 nm to 6.5 plus or minus 2 nm when the temperature increased up to 913 K. The high specific surface area, small grain size, adequate porosity, and favourable phase composition of the nanosized TiO2 rendered this material suitable as a photoelectrode in dyesensitised solar cells. 7 refs.