Controlling the particle size of nanobrookite TiO2 thin films

In this study, pure nanobrookite TiO2 thin films were successfully deposited on glass substrates with the spin-coating method using titanium butoxide and acetic acid. The particle size of TiO2 films was controlled by the water:AcAc volume ratio. This study shows that it is possible to obtain single oriented pure brookite films. The structural and optical properties of the nanobrookite TiO2 thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectrophotometer (NKD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR).

► Nanobrookite TiO2 films were deposited on glass substrates by spin-coating method.
► We produced the pure nanobrookite films using titanium butoxide and acetic acid.
► Particle size of the TiO2 films was controlled by volume ratios of water:acid.
► We determined that it is possible to obtain the films with single orientation.
► Particle sizes of the TiO2 films decrease with the decreasing water:AcAc volume ratio.
► It has been found that the spectrum red-shifts with increasing water concentration.