Synthesis\nand Characterization of Photoreactive TiO₂–Carbon\nNanosheet Composites

Abstract

We report the atomic layer deposition\nof titanium dioxide on carbon nanosheet templates and investigate\nthe effects of postdeposition annealing in a helium environment using\ndifferent characterization techniques. The crystallization of the\ntitanium dioxide coating upon annealing is observed using in situ\nX-ray diffraction. The (micro)­structural characterization of the films\nis carried out by scanning electron microscopy and advanced transmission\nelectron microscopy techniques. Our study shows that the annealing\nof the atomic layer deposition processed and carbon nanosheets templated\ntitanium dioxide layers in helium environment resulting in the formation\nof a porous, nanocrystalline and photocatalytically active titanium\ndioxide-carbon nanosheet composite film. Such composites are suitable\nfor photocatalysis and dye-sensitized solar cells applications.