Issue 40, 2018

UPS and UV spectroscopies combined to position the energy levels of TiO2 anatase and rutile nanopowders

Abstract

An accurate experimental determination of electronic structures in semi-conductor nanopowders is a challenging task. We propose here to combine UPS and UV-Vis spectroscopies in order to get the full description of the electronic band alignment of powder samples, TiO2 rutile and anatase. For UPS measurements, two preparation methods, namely the dropping method and electrophoretic deposition, were used to prepare layers of titania powders on a conducting substrate, ITO or Ag. Both methods lead to comparable results, with a quantitative description of the energy levels from the valence band. Combining these results with the UV-Vis spectra of the same powders enables the determination of the absolute position of the valence band maximum and the conduction band minimum. Combined UPS-UV-Vis spectroscopy provides a better insight into the properties of a powdered material which can differ from single crystal model systems. It can also be used to predict the electronic transfer in mixed phase systems during photocatalytic processes.

Graphical abstract: UPS and UV spectroscopies combined to position the energy levels of TiO2 anatase and rutile nanopowders

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Jul 2018
Accepted
17 Sep 2018
First published
17 Sep 2018

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018,20, 25629-25637

UPS and UV spectroscopies combined to position the energy levels of TiO2 anatase and rutile nanopowders

C. Maheu, L. Cardenas, E. Puzenat, P. Afanasiev and C. Geantet, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 25629 DOI: 10.1039/C8CP04614J

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