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Matthew's Project Page - RISE Summer 2006 |
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Intern: Matthew Menyo, Materials Science and Engineering,
Pennsylvania State University
Mentor: Brandon Heiken
Faculty Supervisor: Dan Morse
Department: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology |
LOW TEMPERATURE SYNTHESIS OF TITANIA THIN FILMS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
Anatase titania thin films with thickness of 1-3 microns and large areas
(~ 2 cm2) were synthesized at low temperature through a kinetically
controlled vapor-diffusion method. The diffusion of ammonia as a base catalyst
into a 50 millimolar precursor solution yielded free standing titania films.
The films were rinsed and filtered, then characterized using X-ray powder
diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, IR and RAMAN spectroscopy, and
scanning electron microscopy. Anatase nanocrystals were found in films grown at
temperatures as low as 50°C and after reaction times as short as 20
hours. This temperature is much lower than many other techniques currently used
for the production of anatase titania films. Film growth has also been recorded
on substrates (glass cover slides and ITO) suspended by tape on the surface of
the precursor/air interface. These films exhibit greater crystallinity than
freestanding films grown under identical conditions, perhaps because the
substrate provides a surface for nucleation to take place. Uses in polymer
photovoltaics, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), photocatalysis, and hydrogen
sensing are being explored as commercial applications for this low temperature
route to crystalline titania.
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