Controllable synthesis of TiO 2 /ATO conductive composite: effects of TiO 2 surface properties

Abstract

The effect of the TiO2 surface property on the conductivity of TiO2/antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) has been revealed by the substrate modification with SiO2 and ZrO2. Their morphology, structural, and electric characteristics were investigated through field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectra. The surface character of the raw and modified TiO2 particles in water was investigated. The results indicated that the negatively charged substrate (−29.7 mV) was formed through the incorporation of SiO2 coating, which facilitated the uniform deposition of positively charged ATO precursors further significantly improved the conductivity of TiO2/ATO composite. Conversely, the conductivity of TiO2/ZrO2–ATO composite decreased due to the increase of electrostatic repulsion from the positively charged surface (+55.3 mV) of the substrate. The results confirmed the feasibility of the method proposed in this work.