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Hierarchically ordered macroporous TiO2 architecture via self-assembled strategy for environmental remediation
S Athithya1, S Harish1, H IKeda2
1Funtional Materials and Energy Devices, Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, 603 203, Tamil Nadu, India.
Chemosphere
|October 14, 2021
Summary
Hierarchical ordered macroporous TiO2 architecture (HOMTA) was synthesized using ethylenediamine (EDA), enhancing photocatalysis and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency. Higher EDA concentrations led to increased surface area and improved performance in both applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photocatalysis
Background:
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a crucial material in photocatalysis and solar energy applications.
- Controlling the morphology and surface properties of TiO2 is essential for optimizing its performance.
- Amine molecules offer a pathway to tune TiO2 architecture and enhance its functional characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize hierarchical ordered macroporous TiO2 architecture (HOMTA) using ethylenediamine (EDA).
- To investigate the impact of EDA concentration on TiO2 morphology, crystal structure, and surface area.
- To evaluate the performance of HOMTA as a photocatalyst and photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Main Methods:
- Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 architecture with varying EDA concentrations.
- Morphological characterization using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
- Crystallographic analysis via X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy.
- Surface area determination using Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis.
- Performance evaluation in DSSCs and photocatalytic degradation studies.
Main Results:
- EDA concentration effectively tuned the morphology of the macroporous TiO2 architecture.
- XRD and Raman studies confirmed the presence of anatase and brookite phases.
- Higher EDA concentrations resulted in significantly increased surface area, with S5 reaching 167.11 m²/g.
- The DSSC device using S5 (highest EDA) achieved an excellent efficiency of 5.27%.
- Photocatalytic degradation efficiency exceeded 90% for all samples, with S5 showing rapid degradation within 6 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Ethylenediamine is an effective agent for synthesizing hierarchical ordered macroporous TiO2 architectures.
- Increased surface area, facilitated by EDA, directly correlates with enhanced performance in both DSSCs and photocatalysis.
- The optimized HOMTA demonstrates significant potential for applications in renewable energy and environmental remediation.
