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Single Nanoparticle Photoluminescence Imaging of TiO2 Trap States


EMSL Project ID
34299

Abstract

We have recently investigated the visible photoluminescence (PL) of nanocrystalline TiO2 as a function of nanoparticle environment and surface treatment. Our results suggest that the broad visible PL of nanocrystalline TiO2, which is observed upon illumination with band-gap light in the absence of oxygen, arises from at least two spatially isolated distributions of surface traps. We hypothesize that these two distributions result from traps localized on different exposed crystal planes. We request support from EMSL to investigate the contribution of nanoparticle heterogeneity to the trap distributions as reflected by PL spectra of single nanoparticles. The results of the proposed preliminary work will provide a basis for further studies of the surface properties of TiO2 and their heterogeneity, and will be of interest to understanding how to understand and control the performance of nanocrystalline TiO2 in devices for the capture and utilization of solar energy.

Project Details

Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2009-05-11
End Date
2009-06-11
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Jeanne McHale
Institution
Washington State University