Preparation of Square Anatase TiO2 Nanocrystals with Dominant {101} and {001} Facets

A new method of preparation of stabilized square anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with dominant {101} and {001} facets is reported in this article. The study involved usage of Ti(SO4)(2) as the source of titanium and oleic acid as the interdigitation agent for the synthesis of truncated octahedrons of TiO2 that are enclosed by {101} and {001} facets. The synthesized samples were further characterized on the basis of the results obtained from transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), four probe resistivity tester, step tester and electrochemical workstation analyses. In addition, the charge transfer efficiency of the films prepared from these TiO2 nanocrystals was also evaluated by measuring the conductivity and charge transfer resistance. It was found that the concentration of Ti(SO4)(2) in the solution used for nanocrystal production has profound effects on particle size and charge transfer efficiency of the nanocrystals thus prepared. However, the same pattern was not observed in case of morphological features of the nanocrystals.