Controlled microstructure and production of TiO2 nanostructures by Ar and Ar–H2 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 5%H2 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.