Enhanced TiO2 surface electrochemistry with carbonised layer-by-layer cellulose-PDDA composite films

Anne Vuorema; Sara Shariki; Mika Sillanpää; Wim Thielemans; Geoffrey W Nelson; John S Foord; Sara E C Dale; Simon Bending; Frank Marken

doi:10.1039/c1cp20532c

Enhanced TiO2 surface electrochemistry with carbonised layer-by-layer cellulose-PDDA composite films

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2011 May 28;13(20):9857-62. doi: 10.1039/c1cp20532c. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Authors

Anne Vuorema¹, Sara Shariki, Mika Sillanpää, Wim Thielemans, Geoffrey W Nelson, John S Foord, Sara E C Dale, Simon Bending, Frank Marken

Affiliation

¹ Laboratory of Applied Environmental Chemistry, Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, Patteristonkatu 1, FI-50100 Mikkeli, Finland.

PMID: 21499622
DOI: 10.1039/c1cp20532c

Abstract

In this report we demonstrate a versatile (and potentially low-cost) cellulose nano-whisker-based surface carbonisation method that allows well-defined films of TiO(2) nanoparticles surface-modified with carbon to be obtained. In a layer-by-layer electrostatic deposition process based on TiO(2) nanoparticles, cellulose nano-whiskers, and poly(diallyl-dimethylammonium) or PDDA are employed to control the ratio of surface carbon to TiO(2). Characterisation based on optical, AFM, XRD, and XPS methods is reported. Electrochemical measurements suggest improved access to surface states, dopamine binding at the anatase surface, and surface redox cycling aided by the thin amorphous carbon film in mesoporous TiO(2). In future, the amorphous carbon layer method could be applied for surface processes for a wider range of semiconductor or insulator surfaces.