We have prepared single crystalline SnO2 and ZnO nanowires and polycrystalline TiO2 nanotubes (1D networks) as well as nanoparticle-based films (3D networks) from the same materials to be used as photoanodes for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells. In general, superior photovoltaic performance can be achieved from devices based on 3-dimensional networks, mostly due to their higher short circ...

Introduction Over the last decade, Polymer Nanocomposites (PNCs) have been one of the most extensively examined areas of polymeric nanomaterials. These efforts have lead to numerous commercial successes, innovative approaches for fabricating and tailoring hybrid materials, and important fundamental insights on the behavior of polymers in confined environments . Given the extensive variety of na...

This work investigates the structural formation and analyses of titania membranes (TM) prepared using different vacuum exposure times for molecular weight (MW) cut-off performance and oil/water separation. Titania membranes were synthesized via a sol-gel method and coated on macroporous alumina tubes followed by exposure to a vacuum between 30 and 1200 s and then calcined at 400 °C. X-ray diffr...

Considering the increasing demand for titania nanoparticles with controlled quality for various applications, the present work reports the up-scalable synthesis of size-controlled titanium dioxide nanocrystals with a simple and convenient thermal treatment route. Titanium dioxide nanocrystals with tetragonal structure were synthesized directly from an aqueous solution containing titanium (IV) i...

Thin mesoporous titania films prepared by surfactant templating feature some of the highest light conversion efficiencies per thickness ratios as anodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). However, the fabrication of thicker films required for sufficient light absorption is very challenging using this approach, often resulting in cracking and delamination of the films. Here we present a simpl...

Silica-titania monoliths with micrometer-scale macroporous and nanometer-scale mesoporous structure and high titania contents are prepared by sol-gel process and phase separation. Titanium alkoxide precursor was not effective in the preparation of high titania content composites because of strong decrease in phase separation tendency. Bimodal porous gels with high titania content were obtained ...

The structures of phosphated titania and sulphated titania are studied with a combined approach using DFT/B3LYP/Lanl2DZ and experimental studies such as XRD, XPS, and DRIFT spectra. The infrared absorptions, Mulliken charges, bond lengths, and dipole moments are investigated for the phosphated and sulphated titania structures optimized by DFT calculations. The XRD patterns obtained for both the...

The adsorption properties of new ceramics titania (titanium dioxide, Ti02) as a column packing material for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were investigated in our recent studies. The adsorption mechanism of titania was found to be different from that of silica gel; the titania adsorbs acidic compounds rather than basic compounds, while silica gel adsorbs basic compounds. In addi...

Titanium oxide compounds TiO,Ti2O3, and TiO2 with a considerable extent of nonstoichiometry were fabricated by pulsed laser ablation in water and characterized by X-ray/electron diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The titanium oxides were found to occur as nanoparticle aggregates with a predominant 3+ charge and amorphous microtubes when fabricat...