Electrophoretic deposition of colloidal TiO2 nanorods towards nano-porous thin-films

• Anatase TiO2 rod-shaped were colloidal synthesized.
• Electrophoretic deposition of oleic-acid capped TiO2 nanorods was investigated.
• Nano-porous thin-films composed by densely packed TiO2 nanorods were obtained.

Nanostructured and nano-porous thin films, offering elevated active surface, are of significant importance for a wide variety of technological applications. Here we report on the electrophoretic deposition – on a conductive substrate – of colloidal TiO2 rod-like shaped nanocrystals dispersed in an organic solvent. Colloidal synthesis allowed obtaining a careful control over the morphological properties and the crystallographic phase of nanoparticles, which resulted in rod-shaped anatase nanocrystals. Compared to spherical nanocrystal, the rod-shape offers enhanced surface/volume ratio, which limits the charge recombination. The electrophoretic deposition drives nanorods toward the immobilization on the conductive surface of the substrate, forming homogeneous nanoporous thin-films composed by densely packed nanorods. Indeed, SEM analysis endorsed that the morphology of NRs is preserved in the thin-film. The approach reported here – colloidal synthesis followed by electrophoretic deposition – could be extended to the functionalization of different surfaces with the peculiar properties inferred by the nanoparticles.

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