Biosynthesis of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Justicia gendarussa</Emphasis> leaves for photocatalytic and toxicity studies

Eco-friendly biosynthesis of polycrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesised using Justicia gendarussa (J. gendarussa) leaf extract as oxidizing agents. They were compared with TiO₂ NPs synthesized using the glacial acetic acid and also studied was the combined effect of synthesis of TiO₂ NPs. The crystalline nature and structural formation of TiO₂ NPs synthesized by different methods were confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique, and functional groups of materials were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The synthesized materials were investigated for photocatalytic activity for methylene blue under UV irradiation and toxicity activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The result indicates that TiO₂ NPs synthesised by J. gendarussa showed superior and enhanced activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. Biosynthesized TiO₂ NPs showed higher photodegradation of dyes when compared with other TiO₂ NPs synthesized by different methods. This is due to the alterations in band gap; structural changes and surface area in nanoparticles that increased the activity. Also, nanosphere/disc like morphology of TiO₂ NPs is confirmed using TEM.     

A hybrid material consisting of bulk-reduced TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>, graphene oxide and polyaniline for resistance based sensing of gaseous ammonia at room temperature

A hybrid material consisting of bulk-reduced TiO₂, graphene oxide (GO) and polyaniline (PANI) was fabricated by decorating TiO₂ with GO, followed by in-situ oxidative chemical polymerization of aniline. The TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with thermally stable bulk reduction states were initially prepared from porous amorphous titanium as the precursor. The TiO₂ NPs and GO were chemically conjugated to each other via amide bonds to improve the stability of the composite. The sensor, if operated in the conductivity mode, exhibits strong signal changes, and fast response and recovery times (of 32 and 17 s, respectively) to gaseous ammonia even at room temperature. Its response range extends from 5 to 300 ppm, and the lower detection limit is 5 ppm. The sensor is fairly selective and not interfered by gases such as CO, CH₄, and trimethylamine, and by vapors of methanol and ethanol. It also displays good temporal stability. This is attributed to the bulk-reduced state of TiO₂, the presence of oxygen functional groups on GO, and the strong adsorption and rapid diffusion of ammonia. The results also imply the presence of a synergetic effect between TiO₂ and GO/PANI, which is probably beneficial for the potential application of the resulting composite as a gas sensor.

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Graphical abstract A hybrid material consisting of bulk-reduced TiO₂, graphene oxide (GO) and polyaniline (PANI) was fabricated by decorating TiO₂ with GO, followed by in-situ oxidative chemical polymerization of aniline. The TiO₂/GO/PANI sensor exhibits strong signal changes, fast response time (32 s) and recovery time (17 s) to ammonia at room temperature. It also displays good selectivity and temporal stability.

     

Ascorbic acid amperometric sensor using a graphene-wrapped hierarchical TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite

An ascorbic acid (AA) amperometric sensor was fabricated based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a reduced graphene oxide-wrapped hierarchical TiO₂ (RGO—TiO₂) nanocomposite. The RGO—TiO₂ nanocomposite was synthesized via the facial wet chemical method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques were employed to investigate its electrocatalytic performance towards the AA oxidation. The combined advantages of RGO and TiO₂ provide the electrode with higher current response and lower oxidation potential compared with those of bare GCE and TiO₂ modified GCE. The proposed electrode can be used for the determination of AA in the wide concentration range from 1 to 1500 µM with the detection limit of 0.5 µM. The proposed electrode was successfully used to determine AA in vitamin C tablets and spiked fruit juice.     

Photocatalytic property of surface-modified TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanobelts under visible light irradiation

A novel plasmonic photocatalyst, i.e., acid-etched TiO₂ nanobelts attached with Ag/AgI nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared by deposition–precipitation-photoreduction method. Such surface-modified nanobelts had larger area than the normal one. Ag NPs were formed from AgI by photo-reduction under Xenon lamp irradiation. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy analysis, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and fluorescence spectra were used to characterize the structure and optical properties of the sample. The obtained sample exhibited strong photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation, which were attributed to both the surface plasmon resonance of Ag NPs and the visible light actived AgI. The photodegradation was accomplished by the transfer of photoexcited electrons from the Ag NPs to the acid-etched TiO₂ nanobelts. After four cycles of photodegradation the photocatalyst was still stable. This novel photocatalyst had a high potential application in wastewater-treatment and biomedical engineering.     

Effect of CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> on the phase transformation and optical properties of photostable titanium dioxide

In the present work, the effect of individual additives calculated as molar fractions of Sb₂O₃ and CeO₂ (x _{Sb 2}O₃ range: 0.03–0.08 %, x _{CeO 2} range: 0.05–0.14 %), on the phase composition, phase transformation, and optical properties of photostable rutile titanium dioxide was studied using selective leaching method, ICP-AES technique, XRD method, spectrophotometric analysis and S _BET measurements. The starting material was hydrated titanium dioxide. It was observed that the addition of Sb₂O₃ to TiO₂ did not influence the anatase-rutile phase transformation, but increasing the CeO₂ addition caused a decrease in the rutilization degree. Thus, CeO₂ acted as an inhibitor of the TiO₂ phase transformation. Sb₂O₃ addition to TiO₂ presumably caused the formation of a co-phase of Sb with Ti. Cerium formed a separate phase, CeO₂, and reacted partly with titanium, probably creating co-phase, Ce_0.8Ti_0.2O₂. Comparing the colour of modified rutile titanium dioxide according to the type of the additive introduced, it was found that TiO₂ with CeO₂ had higher brightness but lower white tone values when compared with TiO₂ modified with Sb₂O₃. The relative lightening power and grey tone of the modified TiO₂ were higher in TiO₂ modified with Sb₂O₃. The values of the photocatalytic activity measured in all TiO₂ samples modified either with Sb₂O₃ or CeO₂ were very similar and varied around the value of 21.     

Au/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Graphene Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Under Both UV and Visible Light Irradiation

Au/TiO₂/graphene composite was synthesized by the combination of electrostatic attraction and photo-reduction method. In the composite, graphene sheets act as an adsorption site for dye molecules to provide a high concentration of dye near to the TiO₂ and Au nanoparticles (NPs), and work as an excellent electron transporter to separate photoinduced e ^?/h ⁺ pairs. Under UV irradiation, photogenerated electrons of TiO₂ are transferred effectively to Au NPs and graphene sheets, respectively, retarding the recombination of electron–hole pairs. Under visible light irradiation, the Au NPs are photo-excited due to the surface plasmon resonance effect, and charge separation is accomplished by the interfacial electron injection from the Au NPs to the conduction band of TiO₂ and then transfer further to graphene sheets. As a result, compared with pure TiO₂, Au/TiO₂/graphene composite exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue under both UV and visible light irradiation, based on the synergistic effect of Au, graphene in contact with TiO₂, allowing response to the visible light, effective separation of photoinduced charges, and better adsorption of the dye molecules.     

Pechini based titanium sol as a matrix in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> pastes for dye-sensitized solar cell application

The influence that the degree of polyesterification has on a titanium sol (Ti-sol) prepared via the Pechini method that acts as a matrix in TiO₂ pastes used for dye sensitized solar cells is reported. The different content of the polyester in the Ti-sol was realized by varying the heating time of the Ti-sol. Titanium dioxide pastes were prepared by introducing a commercial TiO₂ nanopowder into the Ti-sols. The TiO₂ layers were tested as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The most appropriate degree of polyesterification was achieved by heating the Ti-sol for 0.5 and 1 h, while longer heating deteriorates the TiO₂ layer morphology. The highest efficiency of the DSSCs based on an ionic liquid electrolyte was 6.3% measured under standard test conditions (100 mW/cm², AM 1.5, 25 °C).     

The fabrication of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle/ZnO nanowire arrays bi-filmed photoanode and their effect on dye-sensitized solar cells

Porous TiO₂ nanoparticles coated on ZnO nanowire arrays (TiO₂ NP/ZnO NW) as photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been fabricated and investigated to improve the power conversion efficiency. The TiO₂ NP/ZnO NW photoanode consists of single crystalline ZnO NWs synthesized via hydrothermal method and porous TiO₂ NP film covered on the surface of ZnO NW arrays by screen printing technique. The effect of TiO₂ NPs thickness of the bi-filmed photoanode on the cell performance has been investigated, and TiO₂ NP/ZnO NW DSSC with NP thickness of ~5 μm exhibits the best efficiency of 4.68%, higher than 1.16% of ZnO NW DSSC and 3.18% of TiO₂ NPs DSSC, prepared and tested under identical conditions. The efficiency increase is attributed to the enlarged photocurrent, due to the greatly enhanced surface area for dye absorption and light harvesting efficiency resulted from TiO₂ NPs, and improved open-circuit voltage, due to reduced electron recombination by providing direct conduction pathway along ZnO NWs.     

TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanofibers embedding single crystalline TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanowires

Epitaxially grown titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanofibers embedding single crystalline TiO₂ nanowires (NWs) were successfully fabricated by electropinning poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/ethanol solutions mixed with hydrothermally synthesized TiO₂ NWs and titanium isopropoxide precursors and subsequently calcinating the electrospun nanofibers. Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the morphologies of TiO₂ NWs and nanofibers were investigated. High resolution TEM (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) allowed us to indentify the fact that, during the calcination process under the optimized condition, titanium isopropoxide precursors were epitaxially crystallized on the surface of single crystalline TiO₂ NWs. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments, it was also realized that the crystalline structure of hydrothermally synthesized TiO₂ NWs and epitaxially crystallized TiO₂ nanofibers is anatase and that TiO₂ composite nanofibers embedding TiO₂ NWs exhibited a higher crystallinity than the pristine TiO₂ nanofibers. Additionally, ultraviolet visible (UV–Vis) spectra of nanofibers indicated that optical properties of TiO₂ nanofibers can be tuned by introducing the single crystalline TiO₂ NWs.     

Preparation and photocatalytic activity of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> films with Ni nanoparticles

Titania thin films were synthesized by sol–gel dip-coating method with metallic Ni nanoparticles synthesized separately from an organometallic precursor Ni(COD)₂ (COD = cycloocta-1,5-diene) in presence of 1,3-diaminopropane as a stabilizer. Titania was obtained from a titanium isopropoxide precursor solution in presence of acetic acid. A Ni/TiO₂ sol system was used to coat glass substrate spheres (6, 4 and 3 mm diameter sizes), and further heat treatment at 400 °C was carried out to promote the crystallization of titania. XRD analysis of the TiO₂ films revealed the crystallization of the anatase phase. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and High Resolution TEM studies of Ni nanoparticles before mixing with the TiO₂ solution revealed the formation of Ni nanostructures with an average size of 5–10 nm. High-angle annular dark-field images of the Ni/TiO₂ system revealed well-dispersed Ni nanoparticles supported on TiO₂ and confirmed by AFM analysis. The photocatalytic activity of the Ni/TiO₂ films was evaluated in hydrogen evolution from the decomposition of ethanol using a mercury lamp for UV light irradiation. Titania films in presence of Ni nanoparticles show higher efficiency in their photocatalytic properties in comparison with TiO₂.     

Structure and photoluminescence properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles synthesized from a novel luminescent nano-titanium complex

A new titanium complex [Ti(Me–Q)₂(Cl)₂] (1) is prepared by reacting titanium tetrachloride with 2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinoline in a fast and facile process. The complex is fully characterized based on its ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR, and UV spectra and elemental analysis. The prepared nanostructured compound is synthesized by the sonochemical method. This new nanostructure is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Thermal stability of single crystalline and nanosize samples of the prepared compound is studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The prepared complexes both bulk and nanosized are utilized as a precursor for the preparation of TiO₂ nanoparticles by direct thermal decomposition at 600°C in air. The morphology and size of TiO₂ nanoparticles are determined by SEM, powder XRD, and IR spectroscopy and the results show that the TiO₂ nanoparticle size depends on the initial particle size of 1. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of the nanostructured and crystalline bulk prepared complex and their TiO₂ nanoparticle cores are investigated.     

Sonication-polished anodic TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube array-based photoanode for efficient solar energy conversion

In this work, the capping layer atop anodic TiO₂ nanotube arrays (NTAs), which hinders filling of other guest materials and transport of charge carriers, is discerned to be TiO₂ nanotapes. Then, it is completely removed by a novel sonication-polishing (SP) treatment, after which Sb₂S₃ is subsequently introduced to fill the nanotubes by chemical bath deposition. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of the SP-treated TiO₂ NTAs and TiO₂ NTAs/Sb₂S₃ heterogeneous structures are characterized systematically. The results indicate that SP treatment opens the tops of nanotubes with diameters of ～120 nm, which endure a phase conversion from amorphous to anatase after calcination at 450 °C; besides, stibnite Sb₂S₃ with a band gap of ～1.75 eV inside the TiO₂ networks is formed upon heat treatment at 330 °C in Ar, which enhances the absorption in visible light range. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photovoltaic properties for the SP-treated TiO₂ NTAs are investigated. Results shows that the photoresponse of TiO₂ NTAs is improved by the SP treatment, and the photocurrent for the TiO₂ NTAs/Sb₂S₃ electrode is substantially enhanced as compared to the bare TiO₂ one. A high efficiency of 6.28 % is achieved in a TiO₂ NTAs/Sb₂S₃ PEC cell. In addition, charge recombination in the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is observed to be greatly retarded by using the SP-treated TiO₂ NTAs as compared to TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs). Thus, the SP anodic TiO₂ NTAs are promising in applications in various PEC areas such as photocatalysis and sensitized solar cells.     

Preparation and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se interface composite film

Coupling TiO₂ with a narrow band gap semiconductor acting as the photosensitizer has attracted much attention in solar energy exploitation. In this work, the porous TiO₂ film was first formed on the conducting glass plate (CGP) substrate by the decomposition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixing in titanium hydroxide sol at 450°C. Then, the TiO₂/Ag²Se interface composite film was fabricated by interface reaction of AgNO₃ with NaSeSO₃ on the activated surface of porous TiO₂ film. The results of SEM and XRD analyses indicated that the porous TiO₂ layer was made up of the anatase crystal, and the Ag₂Se layer was made up of congregative small particles that have low-temperature α-phase structure. Due to its efficient charge separation for the photo-induced electron-hole pairs, the TiO₂/Ag₂Se interface composite film as-prepared has good photovoltaic property and high photocurrent response for visible light, which have been confirmed by the photoelectrochemical measurements.     

Development of an Aluminium Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles‐modified Screen Printed Carbon Electrode for Electrochemical Sensing of Vanillin in Food Samples

A new chemically modified electrode based on titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂‐NPs) has been developed. Aluminium was incorporated into the TiO₂‐NPs to prepare aluminium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles (Al‐TiO₂‐NPs). Aluminium doped TiO₂ nanoparticles‐modified screen printed carbon electrode (Al‐TiO₂‐NPs/SPCE) was employed as easy, efficient and rapid sensor for electrochemical detection of vanillin in various types of food samples. Al‐TiO₂‐NPs were characterized by energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and analyses showing that the average particle sizes varied for the Al‐NPs (7.63 nm) and Al‐TiO₂‐NPs (7.47 nm) with spherical crystal. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were used to optimize the analytical procedure. A detection limit of vanillin was 0.02 μM, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.50 %, obtained for a 5.0 μM concentration of vanillin. The electrochemical behaviour of several compounds, such as vanillic acid, vanillic alcohol, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and p‐hydroxybenzoic, etc., generally present in natural vanilla samples, were also studied to check the interferences with respect to vanillin voltammetric signal. The applicability was demonstrated by analysing food samples. The obtained results were compared with those provided by a previous method based on liquid chromatography for determination of vanillin.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate to Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>

Neodymium(III) peroxotitanate is used as a precursor for obtaining Nd₂TiO₅. The last one possesses numerous valuable electrophysical properties. TiCl₄, Nd(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and H₂O₂ in mol ratio 1:2:10 were used as starting materials. The reaction ambience was alkalized to pH = 9 with a solution of NH₃. The obtained neodymium(III) peroxotitanate and intermediate compounds of the isothermal heating were proved by the help of quantitative analysis and infrared spectroscopy (IRS). It has Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O composition. The absorption band observed in IRS at 831 cm^?1 relates to a triangular bonding of the peroxo group of Ti, at 1062 cm^?1—terminal groups Ti–OH and at 1491 and 1384 cm^?1—the bridging OH^?-groups Ti–O(H)–Ti. Nd₂TiO₅ was obtained by thermal decomposition of neodymium(III) peroxotitanate. The isothermal conditions for decomposition were determined on the base of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results in the temperature range of 20–1000 °C. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of Nd₄[Ti₂(O₂)₄(OH)₁₂]·7H₂O to Nd₂TiO₅ was studied. In the temperature range of 20–208 °C, a simultaneous decomposition of the peroxo groups by the separation of oxygen and hydrate water is conducted and Nd₄[Ti₂O₄(OH)₁₂] is obtained. From 208 to 390 °C, the terminal OH^?-groups are separated and Nd₄[Ti₂O₇(OH)₆] is formed. In the range of 390–824 °C, the bridging OH^?-groups are completely decomposed to Nd₂TiO₅. The optimal conditions for obtaining nanocrystalline Nd₂TiO₅ are 900 °C for 6 h and 20–80 nm.     

Direct fabrication of anatase TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hollow microspheres for applications in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and lithium storage

Hollow titanium dioxide (TiO₂) microspheres were synthesized in one step by employing tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT) as a precursor through a facile solvothermal method in the presence of NH₄HCO₃. XRD analysis indicated that anatase TiO₂ can be obtained directly without further annealing. TiO₂ hollow microspheres with diameters in the range of 1.0–4.0 μm were confirmed through SEM and TEM measurements. The specific surface area was measured to be 180 m² g^?1 according to the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. Superior photocatalytic performance and good lithium storage properties were achieved for resultant TiO₂ samples. The H₂ evolution rate of the optimal sample is about 0.66 mmol h^?1 after loaded with 1 wt.% Pt (20 mg samples). The reversible capacity remained 143 mAh g^?1 at a specific current of 300 mA g^?1 after 100 charge–discharge cycles. This work provides a facile strategy for the preparation of hollow titanium dioxide microspheres and demonstrates their promising photocatalytic H₂ evolution and the lithium storage properties.

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Graphical abstract Hollow titanium dioxide spheres are directly synthesized via a facile template-free solvothermal method with the presence of NH₄HCO₃ based on inside-out Ostwald ripening (see picture), and demonstrated both as a photocatalyst for water splitting and a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Superior photocatalytic performance and excellent lithium storage properties are achieved for resultant TiO₂ hollow microspheres.

     

Effect of the microstructure of the supported catalysts CuO/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CuO/(CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) on their catalytic properties in carbon monoxide oxidation

The effect of the microstructure of titanium dioxide on the structure, thermal stability, and catalytic properties of supported CuO/TiO₂ and CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts in CO oxidation was studied. The formation of a nanocrystalline structure was found in the CuO/TiO₂ catalysts calcined at 500°C. This nanocrystalline structure consisted of aggregated fine anatase particles about 10 nm in size and interblock boundaries between them, in which Cu²⁺ ions were stabilized. Heat treatment of this catalyst at 700°C led to a change in its microstructure with the formation of fine CuO particles 2.5–3 nm in size, which were strongly bound to the surface of TiO₂ (anatase) with a regular well-ordered crystal structure. In the CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts, the nanocrystalline structure of anatase was thermally more stable than in the CuO/TiO₂ catalyst, and it persisted up to 700°C. The study of the catalytic properties of the resulting catalysts showed that the CuO/(CeO₂-TiO₂) catalysts with the nanocrystalline structure of anatase were characterized by the high-est activity in CO oxidation to CO₂.     

Formation of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> bilayer using atomic layer deposition and its application to dynamic random access memory

To enhance film conformality together with electrical property suitable for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitor dielectric, the effects of oxidant and post heat treatment were investigated on aluminum and titanium oxide (Al₂O₃–TiO₂) bilayer (ATO) thin film formed by atomic layer deposition method. For the conformal deposition of Al₂O₃ thin film, the O₃ oxidant required a higher deposition temperature, more than 450 °C, while H₂O or combined oxygen sources (H₂O+O₃) needed a wide range of deposition temperatures ranging from 250 to 450 °C. Conformal deposition of the TiO₂ thin film was achieved at around 325 °C regardless of the oxidants. The charge storage capacitance, measured from the ATO bilayer (4 nm Al₂O₃ and 2 nm TiO₂) deposited at 450 °C for Al₂O₃ and 325 °C for TiO₂ with O₃ oxidant on the phosphine-doped poly silicon trench, showed about 15% higher value than that of 5 nm Al₂O₃ single layer thin film without any increase of leakage current. To maintain the improved electrical property of the ATO bilayer for DRAM application, such as enhanced charge capacitance without increase of leakage current, upper electrode materials and post heat treatments after electrode formation must be selected carefully. Dedicated to Professor Su-Il Pyun on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Copper nanowire arrays surface wettability control using atomic layer deposition of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Template two step electrodeposition method and atomic layer deposition were used to synthesize copper nanowires of varied length (1.2 to 26.2 μm) and copper nanowires coated with titanium dioxide. As a result of the atomic layer deposition of TiO₂, coated nanowires demonstrated an up to 10-fold decrease in the wetting angle, compared with uncoated nanowires. It was found the dissipation rate is substantially higher for nanowires coated by the atomic layer deposition method (100 s) as compared with the uncoated copper nanowires (400 s), which assumes the positive properties of water propagation along the surface, necessary for improving the heat transfer. It was also found that the water contact angle for uncoated nanowires and those coated with TiO₂ by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) gradually increases as the samples are kept in air. A gradual increase in wettability was also observed for smooth silicon wafers coated by ALD of TiO₂, which were exposed to air. On the coated silicon substrates, the wetting angle gradually increased from 10° to approximately 56° in the course of four days. In addition, it was shown that copper nanowires coated with TiO₂ by the atomic layer deposition method have an excellent corrosion resistance, compared with uncoated nanowires, when brought in contact with air and water.     

Thermal behaviour and properties of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) were used to study the thermal behaviour of (50-x)Na₂O-xTiO₂-50P₂O₅ and 45Na₂O-yTiO₂-(55-y)P₂O₅ glasses. The addition of TiO₂ to the starting glasses (x=0 and y=5 mol% TiO₂) resulted in a nonlinear increase of glass transition temperature and dilatation softening temperature, whereas the thermal expansion coefficient decreased. All prepared glasses crystallize under heating within the temperature range of 300–610°C. The contribution of the surface crystallization mechanism over the internal one increases with increasing TiO₂ content. With increasing TiO₂ content the temperature of maximum nucleation rate is also gradually shifted from a value close to the glass transition temperature towards the crystallization temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the major compounds formed by glass crystallization were NaPO₃, TiP₂O₇ and NaTi₂(PO₄)₃. The chemical durability of the glasses without titanium oxide is very poor, but with the replacement of Na₂O or P₂O₅ by TiO₂, it increases sharply.