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Influence of copper on the microstructure of sol–gel titanium oxide nanotubes array

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Abstract

The effect of copper addition in the microstructure of sol–gel titanium oxide (TiO2) supported on anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes is reported. Two deposition methods based on immersion and flow techniques were used for the coating of the porous AAO membrane. Copper-free membranes were studied as a function of different ratios of H+/Ti, H2O/Ti, selecting the most appropriate for the sensitization with copper. For copper-doped TiO2 arrays, the presence of copper causes the reduction of grain size and enhances titania deposition inside the AAO pores, although no clear tendency with copper content was found. The formation of copper-doped titania nanotubes was validated after dissolving the AAO membranes, finding a deposition-dependent stability in the Cu-doped materials. Titania and Cu-doped titania nanotubes analyzed as colloidal solutions show band gaps substantially shifted to the red in comparison to the direct band gap of near-spherical colloidal materials. These arrays are important for photocatalysis and for the development of third generation photovoltaic devices.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT-UNAM IN111106-3), Proyecto Universitario de Nanotecnología (PUNTA-UNAM), Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT 49100), is gratefully acknowledged, as well as the fellowship (S. López-Ayala) provided by CONACYT-México. We thank R. Morán, P. Altúzar, and M.L. Román for technical assistance and XRD analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación en Energía-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 34, Temixco, 62580, MOR, Mexico

    S. López-Ayala & M. E. Rincón

  2. Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales—Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, Cd. Universitaria, Del. Coyoacan, CP 04510, México, DF, Mexico

    H. Pfeiffer

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  1. S. López-Ayala
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  2. M. E. Rincón
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  3. H. Pfeiffer
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Correspondence to M. E. Rincón.

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López-Ayala, S., Rincón, M.E. & Pfeiffer, H. Influence of copper on the microstructure of sol–gel titanium oxide nanotubes array. J Mater Sci 44, 4162–4168 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3617-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3617-2

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