Synthesis, Structure And Applications Of TiO2 Gels

Abstract

ABSTRACTTiO2 gels are usually obtained through hydrolysis of titanium alkoxides. Chemical additives can however react with the precursor at a molecular level and therefore modify the hydrolysis-condensation reactions. Several examples will be described :acetic acid, acetylacetone or Cr(acac)3 The whole solgel process is followed all the way from the precursors to the gel and each step is characterized by spectroscopic experiments (Infra-red, N.M.R, E.S.R.). Some electronic properties of TiO2 gels are then described. Chemical additives allow an optimization of the sol-gel process according to each specific applications : electrochromic display devices, photoanodes or photochemical reactions.