Structure and properties of the anatase polymorph of titanium dioxide
Description
The anatase form of titanium dioxide has been shown to be of technological importance. Little is known of the surface structure and the electronic structure of the anatase polymorph due to the unavailability of suitable samples. Recent studies within our group have shown that the mineral form of anatase may be amenable to surface studies. This dissertation focuses on the study of the surface and electronic properties of the anatase polymorph of titanium dioxide. Presented here are surface studies on the most stable faces of anatase, chemical surface interactions, and electronic studies for the mineral anatase. Surface studies were carried out on the (101), (100), (103) and (001) faces of mineral anatase. Geometrical models of these surfaces were developed through the use of surface science techniques including Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), and Low-Energy Ion Scattering (LEIS). Chemical studies (Thermal Programmed Desorption (TPD) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)) were undertaken to study the interactions of the anatase (101) surface with water and methanol. Transport measurements were conducted to determine the number of charge carriers in the material. Investigations were held to probe the electronic states of the material through the use of x-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS)