Surface Modifications and Growth of Titanium Dioxide for Photo-Electrochemical Water Splitting

This outstanding thesis provides a wide-ranging overview of the growth of titanium dioxide thin films and its use in photo-electrochemicals such as water splitting. The context for water splitting is introduced with the theory of semiconductor-liquid junctions, which are dealt with in detail. In particular plasmonic enhancement of TiO2 by the addition of gold nanoparticles is considered in depth, including a thorough and critical review of the literature, which discusses the possible mechanisms that may be at work. Plasmonic enhancement is demonstrated with gold nanoparticles on Nb-doped TiO2. Finally, the use of temperature and pressure to control the phase and morphology of thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition is presented.

Nominated as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis by Imperial College London Investigates photo-anodes based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) that can be used to produce hydrogen by thephoto-electrochemical decomposition of water Considers plasmonic enhancement of TiO2 by the addition of gold nanoparticles Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction.- Literature Review.- Principles of Photo-electrochemical Cells.- Experimental Methods.- Results: Plasmonic Photocurrent with AuNP-TiO2.- Electrochemistry of TiO2 Rutile (110).- TiO2 Thin Films on Fused Silica.- Epitaxial TiO2 Thin Films on Single Crystal Substrates.- Conclusions.