Structural and Optical Characteristics of Anatase and Rutile Titania Thin Films by Solvo-Thermal Doctor Blade Method

Abstract

In present work, titania nanocrystal thin films were synthesized by using titanium(IV) isopropoxide as precursor and isopropyl alcohol as solvent. The precursor and solvent ratio were controlled to bring out the sol-gel. Triton X-100 was used to form titania paste and coated in FTO substrate by doctor blade method. The characteristic studies were carried out for the as-prepared sample, annealed at 450 °C and washed with HCl. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed that anatase to rutile phase transformation for the as-prepared sample to the samples annealed at 450 °C and HCl washed. It also confirms the crystalline size of all the samples in nanoscale with average grain size of 5.71 nm and 18.76 nm. Scanning electron microscopy photograph confirms the presence of nanoparticles. The energy dispersive X-ray shows the prepared samples are titanium oxide without any impurity. The ultra violet-visual absorption study shows that the band gap of titania decrease with increase in annealing and HCl wash. Fourier transform infrared spectrum confirms the formation of titania.