Influence of deposition temperature on the optical, structural, morphological, compositional and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2 thin films

In this investigation, we are reporting a photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of TiO2 thin films. Initially, TiO2 thin films were synthesized by using a single step hydrothermal method. The influence of temperature on the optical, structural, morphological, compositional and PEC properties of TiO2 thin films is investigated. The optical study reveals direct allowed type of transition. The XRD pattern confirms pure rutile phase with tetragonal crystal structure. The SEM analysis shows morphological transitions from 1D TiO2 nanorods to give a 3D TiO2 nanoflowers with increase in reaction temperature. The compositional data confirms the presence of titanium and oxygen in their respective oxidation state. HRTEM results confirm single crystalline nature of TiO2 thin films. As the reaction temperature increased from 120 to 180 °C photoconversion efficiency is enhanced from 0.33 to 0.47 %. Along with PEC performance electrochemical impedance spectra of all the samples is measured.