Controlled growth of highly pure TiO₂ nanorod arrays/nanoflower clusters via one-step hydrothermal route

In this study, highly pure and vertically aligned rutile-phased TiO₂ nanorod arrays (TNRAs) and highly pure rutile-phased TiO₂ nanoflower clusters have been deposited on transparent FTO glass with controlled reactions. The reactions were performed via one-step hydrothermal route with the conducting side of FTO glass substrate facing up and down. The as-prepared samples were characterized, respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the samples were single-crystalline rutile phase. The scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy observation revealed that the TNRAs was highly pure, compact, vertically aligned and well oriented. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and corresponding high resolution TEM confirmed that the nanorods with diameters of about 90 nm were self-assembled from the ones with about 10 nm. The photoelectric properties of the samples were also performed. In addition, the influence of different solvents and precursor amounts on the growth of the samples were also respectively explored.