Photoelectrochemical Characteristic of Titanium Dioxide Prepared from Heat Treatment of Titanium

The titanium dioxide was prepared from the heat treatment of titanium from room temperature up to different temperatures of 600-900°C in an electric furnace and its photoelectrochemical characteristic was checked by the measurement of photocurrent, carrier density and quantum efficiency based on the photothermal method. The titanium dioxide thus prepared showed a lower carrier density with rise in heat treatment temperature and did not show clear dependence of flatband potential on heat treatment temperature. The heat treatment from room temperature up to ca.800°C provided the titanium dioxide with rutile structure which showed a maximum photocurrent, carrier density of 1-2×1017 cm-3 and quantum efficiency over 50%.