Electrochemical Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nanostructures

Metal and metal oxide nanostructures immobilized on substrates are extensively studied material systems due to their immense practical and industrial applications such as catalysis and photocatalysis, photovoltaics, electrochromics, energy storage, sensors, functional coatings and biomedical applications [1-6]. Nanomaterials possess unique properties that are not observed in bulk material. In addition to very high surface area – to – volume ratios, they exhibit quantum chemical and quantum mechanical effects which open doors for novel applications that are otherwise impossible with bulk material [7]. A major problem with nanotechnology is the difficulty associated with manufacture of the nanomaterial economically, as a result of which only a few nanotechnology based applications have been commercially realized [8]. In this talk, a simple, low-cost electrochemical process for synthesis of a titanium oxide nanostructures will be reported. This process works at ambient conditions and uses low electrochemical potentials (≤ 5V) and low current densities (few 10’s of A•m -2 ), which results in use of less energy compared to conventional synthesis processes. As it is an electrochemical process, it also highly scalable with a good degree of reproducibility and controllability even on a manufacturing scale. The size and structure of the nanostructures can be tweaked using process parameters such as voltage, electrode polarity, electrolyte composition and temperature. This methodology opens up possibilities of synthesizing a wide spectrum of nanomaterials at ambient conditions and more importantly, at low cost to enable more nanomaterial-based applications. References 1. Chen, X. and S.S. Mao, Titanium dioxide nanomaterials: Synthesis, properties, modifications, and applications. Chemical Reviews, 2007. 107 (7): p. 2891-2959. 2. Guo, S.J. and E.K. Wang, Noble metal nanomaterials: Controllable synthesis and application in fuel cells and analytical sensors. Nano Today, 2011. 6 (3): p. 240-264. 3. Seil, J.T. and T.J. Webster, Antimicrobial applications of nanotechnology: methods and literature. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2012. 7 : p. 2767-2781. 4. Tian, Y.F., S.R. Bakaul, and T. Wu, Oxide nanowires for spintronics: materials and devices. Nanoscale, 2012. 4 (5): p. 1529-1540. 5. Zhao, X., et al., The role of nanomaterials in redox-based supercapacitors for next generation energy storage devices. Nanoscale, 2011. 3 (3): p. 839-855. 6. Duncan, T.V., Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: Barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2011. 363 (1): p. 1-24. 7. Haruta, M., Size- and support-dependency in the catalysis of gold. Catalysis Today, 1997. 36 (1): p. 153-166. 8. Kang, H.-Y., A Review of the Emerging Nanotechnology Industry: Materials, Fabrications, and Applications , 2010, Department of Toxic Substances Control Pollution Prevention and Green Technology.