Effect of oxygen addition on the formation of anatase TiO2 nano-coatings obtained by spray pyrolysis technique

Abstract

High-quality anatase phased titanium dioxide thin films were prepared in this work using an easy, simple and cost-effective method. Normal, partially and highly oxygen-enriched atmospheres were provided during the spray pyrolysis deposition of titania in order to study the oxygen effect on the structure and morphology of the films prepared. High crystalline anatase nano-coatings stable at high temperature (700°C) could be obtained through the delaying of anatase-to-rutile transformation due to the filling of oxygen vacancies by the oxygen added to the spraying atmosphere. These nano-coatings constitute promising materials for different applications such as hydroxyapatite coated metal implanting, rechargeable lithium ion batteries fabrication, gas sensing and photocatalytic applications.