Growth of rutile TiO2 nanorods on TiO2 seed layer deposited by electron beam evaporation

Dense rutile TiO2 nanorods were grown on anatase TiO2 seed layer coated glass substrate by solution technique. The crystalline nature of nanorods has confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The band gap of the TiO2 seed layer and nanorods were calculated using the UV-vis absorption spectrum and the band gap value of the anatase seed layer and rutile nanorods were 3.39 eV and 3.09 eV respectively. Water contact angle measurements were also made and showed that the contact angle of rutile nanorods was (134°) larger than the seed layer contact angle (93°). The RMS surface roughness of the TiO2 seed layer (0.384 nm) and nanorods film (18.5 nm) were measured by an atomic force microscope and correlated with their contact angle values.

Highlights► Hydrothermal growth of rutile TiO2 nanorods on anatase TiO2 seed layer. ► Anatase seed layer was deposited by using electron beam evaporation method. ► Crystalline nature of rutile TiO2 nanorods has been observed. ► As prepared rutile TiO2 nanorods show hydrophobicity.