language: en

Production of Polycrystalline »-Ti02-Layers for Photoelectrochemical Purpose

K. J. Hartig, J. Lichtscheidl, and N. Getoff
Institut für Theoretische Chemie und Strahlenchemie der Universität Wien und Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Strahlenchemie,
Wien, Österreich
Z. Naturforsch. 86«, 51-56 (1981);

[received September 18, 1980]

The preparation of highly photoactive, polycrystalline n-TiOa-semiconductors by thermochemical oxidation of Titanium metal sheets was investigated systematically. The optimum temperature in an oxygen atmosphere was found to be between 550 °C and 650 °C for a period of 10—30 min. Careful etching of the Titanium surface prior to oxidation is a decisive step in the production process. The growth, adhesion on the substrate and photoefficiency of the Ti(>2crystals were studied under various experimental conditions. TiOj-Iayers prepared under optimum conditions showed a photocurrent higher than 2 mA* cm-2 in 0.1 mol * dm-3 KCl as electrolyte and about 6 mA • cm-2 in 1 mol • dm-3 KOH, respectively. The overall energy conversion was »?^3.5%.

1. Introduction