Surface Modifications and Growth of Titanium Dioxide for Photo-Electrochemical Water Splitting

This outstanding thesis provides a wide-ranging overview of the growth of titanium dioxide thin films and its use in photo-electrochemicals such as water splitting. The context for water splitting is introduced with the theory of semiconductor-liquid junctions, which are dealt with in detail. In particular plasmonic enhancement of TiO 2 by the addition of gold nanoparticles is considered in depth, including a thorough and critical review of the literature, which discusses the possible mechanisms that may be at work. Plasmonic enhancement is demonstrated with gold nanoparticles on Nb-doped TiO2. Finally, the use of temperature and pressure to control the phase and morphology of thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition is presented.

List of contents

Introduction.- Literature Review.- Principles of Photo-electrochemical Cells.- Experimental Methods.- Results: Plasmonic Photocurrent with AuNP-TiO2.- Electrochemistry of TiO2 - Rutile (110).- TiO2 Thin Films on Fused Silica.- Epitaxial TiO2 Thin Films on Single Crystal Substrates.- Conclusions.

Summary

This outstanding thesis provides a wide-ranging overview of the growth of titanium dioxide thin films and its use in photo-electrochemicals such as water splitting. The context for water splitting is introduced with the theory of semiconductor-liquid junctions, which are dealt with in detail. In particular plasmonic enhancement of TiO₂ by the addition of gold nanoparticles is considered in depth, including a thorough and critical review of the literature, which discusses the possible mechanisms that may be at work. Plasmonic enhancement is demonstrated with gold nanoparticles on Nb-doped TiO2. Finally, the use of temperature and pressure to control the phase and morphology of thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition is presented.

Product details

• Authors: John Alexander
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2018
• EAN: 9783319817088
• ISBN: 978-3-31-981708-8
• No. of pages: 336
• Dimensions: 155 mm x 20 mm x 235 mm
• Weight: 575 g
• Illustrations: XLI, 336 p. 216 illus., 196 illus. in color.
• Series: Springer Theses; Springer Theses
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Miscellaneous; Werkstoffprüfung, B, Nanowissenschaften, Elektrochemie und Magnetochemie, engineering, electrochemistry, Testing of materials, Nanotechnology, Characterization and Analytical Technique, Materials science, Characterization and Evaluation of Materials, Nanoscale Science and Technology, Nanostructures, Nanoscale science, Nanophysics, Nanoscience, materials engineering, Engineering—Materials, Electrochemistry & magnetochemistry