Synchrotron Study of Phase Transition and Heterostructures in Metal Oxide Semiconductors
Abstract
Transition metal oxides, including titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and Tin dioxide (SnO2) are widely recognized semiconducting photocatalysts. This project engages in a detailed examination of the phase transition of TiO2 and the synthesis of heterostructured metal oxides using an eco-friendly method of ball-milling. A variety of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques have been used to analyze the products. Synchrotron-based techniques: X-ray Absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), X-ray Emission Spectroscopy and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) can demonstrate the local structure and bonding. The finding highlights a phase transition in TiO2 and the formation of new zinc titanium compounds at speeds of 300rpm and 500rpm. However, at the 150rpm ball milling speed, heterostructured TiO2/ZnO and TiO2/SnO2 formed. This study offers valuable insights into the impact of ball-milling on the synthesis and transformation of semiconducting transition metal oxides, providing a pathway toward the advancement of high-performance semiconductors.