Controlled microstructure and production of TiO 2 nanostructures by Ar and Ar–H 2 atmosphere

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanostructures have been synthesised by annealing the Pd loaded titanium foil at 680°C under the atmosphere of Ar or Ar–H₂ gas mixture. The microstructure and production of titanium dioxide are found to depend critically on the concentration of Pd catalyst and the Ar–H₂ atmosphere. The catalyst of Pd and the introduction of 5H₂ gas are the key factor for the formation of the long (about 100 μm in the average) and smooth titanium dioxide nanowires at low temperature. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction show that they are all rutile phase. The further result shows that the titanium dioxide nanowires possess good crystallinity and high surface photovoltage response.