Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T11:23:48.091Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nanostructure morphology influences in electrical properties of titanium dioxide thin films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2020

Patrick Pires Conti ,
Eupídio Scopel ,
Edson Roberto Leite  and
Cleocir José Dalmaschio Open the ORCID record for Cleocir José Dalmaschio [Opens in a new window]
Patrick Pires Conti
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
Eupídio Scopel
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (Unicamp), 13083-970, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Edson Roberto Leite
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
Cleocir José Dalmaschio*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória29075-910, Espírito Santo, Brazil
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a semiconductor that can be applied in different technological areas. In this work, we investigated the modifications of the electrical properties of thin films composed of TiO2 nanoparticles produced with different morphologies. The solvothermal route used for the synthesis allowed the production of nanoparticles with functionalized surfaces due to oleate groups. It was possible to modulate nanocrystals shape and size due to the detachment crystal growth mechanism, by changing the reaction time. Nanorods were obtained using 4 h of synthesis, and an increase in the reaction time to 64 h led to a bipyramidal morphology. The functionalization by the organic ligand allowed the preparation of stable colloidal solutions, which were used to prepare thin films by the dip-coating method. The films presented a homogeneous surface, an average thickness around 100 nm, and no agglomerations were observed. The electrical resistance measurements indicated a typical behavior of semiconductors, and they were dependent on the nanoparticle morphology. An exploratory test indicated that the thin films prepared using nanorod particles presented a higher electrical response compared with isotropic particles, when exposed in a liquefied petroleum gas vapor atmosphere. Therefore, the morphology of the nanoparticles is a key factor for the further application of these thin films in gas sensing. Employing an easy methodology which required simple apparatus, and by using reaction time modulation only, it was possible to prepare homogeneous thin films with a tunable electrical response.

Keywords

nanostructurethin filmsoxideelectrical properties
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 35 , Issue 21 , 16 November 2020 , pp. 3012 - 3020
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020, published on behalf of Materials Research Society by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

b)

Contributing Editor: Edson leite

References

Ahmad, M.S., Pandey, A.K., and Rahim, N.A.: Advancements in the development of TiO2 photoanodes and its fabrication methods for dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. A review. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 77, 89 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, L., Xu, J., Hu, H., Cui, C., Ding, Z., Yan, Y., Lin, P., and Wang, P.: Hierarchical submicroflowers assembled from ultrathin anatase TiO2 nanosheets as light scattering centers in TiO2 photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. J. Alloys Compd. 776, 1002 (2019).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenanakis, G., Vernardou, D., Dalamagkas, A., and Katsarakis, N.: Photocatalytic and electrooxidation properties of TiO2 thin films deposited by sol–gel. Catal. Today 240, 146 (2015).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, J., Khan, S.A., Shah, J., Kotnala, R., and Mohapatra, S.: Nanostructured TiO2 thin films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering for photocatalytic applications. Appl. Surf. Sci. 422, 953 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lin, C., Gao, Y., Zhang, J., Xue, D., Fang, H., Tian, J., Zhou, C., Zhang, C., Li, Y., and Li, H.: GO/TiO2 composites as a highly active photocatalyst for the degradation of methyl orange. J. Mater. Res. 35, 1307 (2020).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thuy, N.T.T., Tung, D.H., Manh, L.H., Kim, J.H., Kudryashov, S.I., and Minh, P.H.J.A.S.: Plasma enhanced wet chemical surface activation of TiO2 for the synthesis of high performance photocatalytic Au/TiO2 nanocomposites. Appl. Sci. 10, 3345 (2020).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galstyan, V.: Porous TiO2-based gas sensors for cyber chemical systems to provide security and medical diagnosis. Sensors 17, 2947 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, X., Zhao, Y., Wang, X., Wang, J., Gaskov, A.M., and Akbar, S.: Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated TiO2 microspheres for selective room-temperature gas sensors. Sens. Actuat., B 230, 330 (2016).Google Scholar
Bai, J. and Zhou, B.: Titanium dioxide nanomaterials for sensor applications. Chem. Rev. 114, 10131 (2014).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bayan, E., Lupeiko, T., Pustovaya, L., Volkova, M., Butova, V., and Guda, A.: Zn–F co-doped TiO2 nanomaterials: Synthesis, structure and photocatalytic activity. J. Alloys Compd. 822, 153662 (2020).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huang, J. and Wan, Q.: Gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxide one-dimensional nanostructures. Sensors 9, 9903 (2009).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Korotcenkov, G.: Metal oxides for solid-state gas sensors: What determines our choice? Mater. Sci. Eng., B 139, 1 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, C., Yin, L., Zhang, L., Xiang, D., and Gao, R.: Metal oxide gas sensors: Sensitivity and influencing factors. Sensors 10, 2088 (2010).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, X. and Mao, S.S.: Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: Synthesis, properties, modifications, and applications. Chem. Rev. 107, 2891 (2007).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, D.-S., Lee, D.-D., Ban, S.-W., Lee, M., and Kim, Y.T.: SnO2 gas sensing array for combustible and explosive gas leakage recognition. IEEE Sens. J. 2, 140 (2002).Google Scholar
Nemade, K.R., Barde, R.V., and Waghuley, S.A.: Liquefied petroleum gas sensing by Al-doped TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by chemical and solid-state diffusion routes. J. Taibah Univ. Sci. 10, 345 (2015).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, N., Chen, X., Zhang, J., and Schwank, J.W.: A review on TiO2-based nanotubes synthesized via hydrothermal method: Formation mechanism, structure modification, and photocatalytic applications. Catal. Today 225, 34 (2014).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalmaschio, C.J. and Leite, E.R.: Detachment induced by Rayleigh-instability in metal oxide nanorods: Insights from TiO2. Cryst. Growth Des. 12, 3668 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alotaibi, A.M., Sathasivam, S., Williamson, B.A., Kafizas, A., Sotelo-Vazquez, C., Taylor, A., Scanlon, D.O., and Parkin, I.P.: Chemical vapor deposition of photocatalytically active pure brookite TiO2 thin films. Chem. Mater. 30, 1353 (2018).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haridas, A.K., Gangaja, B., Srikrishnarka, P., Unni, G.E., Nair, A.S., Nair, S.V., and Santhanagopalan, D.: Spray pyrolysis-deposited nanoengineered TiO2 thick films for ultra-high areal and volumetric capacity lithium ion battery applications. J. Power Sources 345, 50 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martins, A.C., Cazetta, A.L., Pezoti, O., Souza, J.R., Zhang, T., Pilau, E.J., Asefa, T., and Almeida, V.C.: Sol-gel synthesis of new TiO2/activated carbon photocatalyst and its application for degradation of tetracycline. Ceram. Int. 43, 4411 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nunes, D., Pimentel, A., Santos, L., Barquinha, P., Pereira, L., Fortunato, E., and Martins, R.: Chapter 2—Synthesis, Design, and Morphology of Metal Oxide Nanostructures (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2019); pp. 21–57.Google Scholar
Zimmermann, M., Temel, B., and Garnweitner, G.: Parameter studies of the synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Effect on particle formation and size. Chem. Eng. Process. 74, 83 (2013).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Santos, M.S., Freitas, J.C., and Dalmaschio, C.J.: Designed single-phase ZrO2 nanocrystals obtained by solvothermal syntheses. CrystEngComm 22, 1802 (2020).Google Scholar
Scopel, E., Conti, P.P., Stroppa, D.G., and Dalmaschio, C.J.: Synthesis of functionalized magnetite nanoparticles using only oleic acid and iron (III) acetylacetonate. SN Appl. Sci. 1, 147 (2019).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kim, C.-S., Moon, B.K., Park, J.-H., Chung, S.T., and Son, S.-M.: Synthesis of nanocrystalline TiO2 in toluene by a solvothermal route. J. Cryst. Growth 254, 405 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Niederberger, M. and Pinna, N.: Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Organic Solvents: Synthesis, Formation, Assembly and Application (Springer Science & Business Media, London, United Kingdom, 2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Demazeau, G. and Largeteau, A.: Hydrothermal/solvothermal crystal growth: An old but adaptable process. Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 641, 159 (2015).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fan, Z., Meng, F., Zhang, M., Wu, Z., Sun, Z., and Li, A.: Solvothermal synthesis of hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures with tunable morphology and enhanced photocatalytic activity. Appl. Surf. Sci. 360, 298 (2016).Google Scholar
Eckertová, L.: Mechanism of Film Formation, in Physics of Thin Films (Springer, New York City, USA, 1977), p. 72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chopra, K.L. and Kaur, I.: Thin Film Phenomena (McGraw-hill, New York, 1969).Google Scholar
Ortega-Borges, R. and Lincot, D.: Mechanism of chemical bath deposition of cadmium sulfide thin films in the ammonia-thiourea system: In situ kinetic study and modelization. J. Electrochem. Soc. 140, 3464 (1993).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chatterjee, A., Mitra, P., and Mukhopadhyay, A.K.: Chemically deposited zinc oxide thin film gas sensor. J. Mater. Sci. 34, 4225 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lin, S.S., Hsieh, A., Min, D.B., and Chang, S.S.: A study of the color stability of commercial oleic acid. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 53, 157 (1976).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jia, C., Dong, T., Li, M., Wang, P., and Yang, P.: Preparation of anatase/rutile TiO2/SnO2 hollow heterostructures for gas sensor. J. Alloys Compd. 769, 521 (2018).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, Y., Wu, T., Zhou, Y., Meng, C., Zhu, W., and Liu, L.: TiO2-based nanoheterostructures for promoting gas sensitivity performance: Designs, developments, and prospects. Sensors 17, 1971 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cushing, B.L., Kolesnichenko, V.L., and O'Connor, C.J.: Recent advances in the liquid-phase syntheses of Inorganic nanoparticles. Chem. Rev. 104, 3893 (2004).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tang, H., Prasad, K., Sanjinès, R., Schmid, P.E., and Lévy, F.: Electrical and optical properties of TiO2 anatase thin films. J. Appl. Phys. 75, 2042 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hastir, A., Kohli, N., Kang, O.S., and Singh, R.C.: Selective liquefied petroleum gas sensor based on nanocomposites of zinc chromium oxide. J. Electroceram. 37, 170 (2016).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hou, L., Zhang, C., Li, L., Du, C., Li, X., Kang, X.-F., and Chen, W.: CO gas sensors based on p-type CuO nanotubes and CuO nanocubes: Morphology and surface structure effects on the sensing performance. Talanta 188, 41 (2018).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, N., Li, Y., Deng, D., Liu, X., Xing, X., Xiao, X., and Wang, Y.: Acetone sensing performances based on nanoporous TiO2 synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Sens. Actuat., B 238, 491 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mardare, D., Iftimie, N., and Luca, D.: TiO2 thin films as sensing gas materials. J. Non-Cryst. Solids 354, 4396 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, S., Pan, L., Song, J.-J., Mi, W., Zou, J.-J., Wang, L., and Zhang, X.: Titanium-defected undoped anatase TiO2 with p-type conductivity, room-temperature ferromagnetism, and remarkable photocatalytic performance. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 137, 2975 (2015).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sánchez, F., Lüders, U., Herranz, G., Infante, I., Fontcuberta, J., García-Cuenca, M., Ferrater, C., and Varela, M.: Self-organization in complex oxide thin films: From 2D to 0D nanostructures of SrRuO3 and CoCr2O4. Nanotechnology 16, S190 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dalmaschio, C.J., da Silveira Firmiano, E.G., Pinheiro, A.N., Sobrinho, D.G., de Moura, A.F., and Leite, E.R.: Nanocrystals self-assembled in superlattices directed by the solvent–organic capping interaction. Nanoscale 5, 5602 (2013).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed