Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer the possibilities to design solar cells with a large flexibility in shape, color, and transparency. DSC research groups have been established around the worl ...

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Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Photocatalysis has recently become a common word and various products using photocatalytic functions have been commercialized. Among many candidates for photocatalysts, TiO2 is almost the only material suitable for industrial use at present and also probably in the future. This is because TiO2 has the most efficient photoactivity, the highest stability and the lowest cost. More significantly, it has been used as a white pigment from ancient times, and thus, its safety to humans and the environment is guaranteed by history. There are two types of photochemical reaction proceeding on a TiO2 surface when irradiated with ultraviolet light. One includes the photo-induced redox reactions of adsorbed substances, and the other is the photo-induced hydrophilic conversion of TiO2 itself. The former type has been known since the early part of the 20th century, but the latter was found only at the end of the century. The combination of these two functions has opened up various novel applications of TiO2, particularly in the field of building materials. Here, we review the progress of the scientific research on TiO2 photocatalysis as well as its industrial applications, and describe future prospects of this field mainly based on the present authors' work.

https://www.jsap.or.jp/jsapi/Pdf/Number14/04_JJAP-IRP.pdf

TiO2 Photocatalysis: A Historical Overview and Future Prospects

TiO(2) is one of the most studied compounds in materials science. Owing to some outstanding properties it is used for instance in photocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells, and biomedical devices. In 1999, first reports showed the feasibility to grow highly ordered arrays of TiO(2) nanotubes by a simple but optimized electrochemical anodization of a titanium metal sheet. This finding stimulated intense research activities that focused on growth, modification, properties, and applications of these one-dimensional nanostructures. This review attempts to cover all these aspects, including underlying principles and key functional features of TiO(2), in a comprehensive way and also indicates potential future directions of the field.

TiO2 nanotubes: synthesis and applications.

In the present review we try to give a comprehensive and most up to date view to the field, with an emphasis on the currently most investigated anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays. We will first give an overview of different synthesis approaches to produce TiO2 nanotubes and TiO2 nanotube arrays, and then deal with physical and chemical properties of TiO2 nanotubes and techniques to modify them. Finally, we will provide an overview of the most explored and prospective applications of nanotubular TiO2.

One-dimensional titanium dioxide nanomaterials: nanotubes.

Under the spotlight: The organic–inorganic hybrid halide perovskite for optoelectronic applications

Microscopic observation of electrodeposition sites of Tl2O3 at n-type CdSe electrode

Photoelectrochemical analyses of photocatalytic reactions of azobenzene on TiO2 powder

A method to synthesize indium nitride (InN) crystal by the reaction of InCl3 with LiNH2 under N2 atmosphere was studied. InN was formed at the temperature ranging from 350 to 450°C under 0.1 MPa N2 atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and transmission electron microscope (TEM) image indicated that synthesized InN was crystalline powder with a wurtzite structure. Band gap was determined by plotting (αhν)2 vs. hν for direct transition and the value of 0.83 eV was obtained.

Synthesis of particulate InN crystal by the reaction of InCl3 with LiNH2

Crystalline cadmium telluride layers of a cubic structure have been deposited potentiostatically on graphite cathodes by means of fused salt electrolysis employing CdCl2 and TeO2/Na2TeO3 in an LiCl–KCl eutectic melt at 450 °C. X-Ray diffraction and scanning-electron-microscope studies show that (i) these layers have a tendency to grow with a preferred orientation along the ⟨111⟩ direction and (ii) the surface morphology changes drastically with the change in the applied potential. Voltammetric analyses indicate two distinct mechanisms for cadmium telluride deposition; one is the codeposition of cadmium and tellurium occurring at potentials more negative than −0.2 V(vs. Ag/AgCl), and the other is the ionic reaction of the cathodically formed telluride ion with the cadmium ion occurring at potentials more negative than −0.7 V(vs. Ag/AgCl). As-deposited crystals are either n- or p-type, depending on the melt composition and the applied potential.

The Synthesis of CdTe by Means of Fused Salt Electrolysis and Its Characterization

The high-temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−x and Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy phases have been prepared by the electrodeposition of the corresponding precursors from the baths containing salts of the constituent metals in dimethylsulfoxide–H2O mixture solvent followed by a suitable heat treatment. The use of this solvent was found to contribute to a significant improvement in the deposition process.

Takashi Sugiura

Papers

Microscopic observation of electrodeposition sites of Tl2O3 at n-type CdSe electrode

Photoelectrochemical analyses of photocatalytic reactions of azobenzene on TiO2 powder

Synthesis of particulate InN crystal by the reaction of InCl3 with LiNH2

The Synthesis of CdTe by Means of Fused Salt Electrolysis and Its Characterization

Preparation of YBa2Cu3O7−x and Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy Films by Electrodeposition Technique