Oriented TiO₂ nanostructured pillar arrays: Synthesis and characterization

A new method for the synthesis of parallelly aligned TiO₂ micropillars, either pure or fixed to a rigid carbon support was investigated. Mild oxidation treatment at 500°C under a flow of N₂ containing 1% of oxygen led to the formation of parallelly oriented elongated pillars that emerge from a compact amorphous carbon phase. The pillars were mesophorous and constitute of partially cemented anatase particles with diameters in the 10-20 nm range and a surface area of approximately 60 m²/g. A solution of 2-furanmethanol and Ti isopropoxide was prepared at room temperature. The solution was then heated to obtain a solid resin. It was observed that pure TiO₂ pillars that constitute of nearly pure anatase phase can be obtained by a further prolonged oxidation process in the presence of 10% oxygen.