Relationship of Titania Nanotube Binding Energies and Raman Spectra

Novel nanostructured titania nanotubes and hydrogen titanate nanoribbons were synthesised using hydrothermal treatment of Degussa P25. The nanostructure types formed were monitored as a function of the hydrothermal conditions. Changes in structure was evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of Ti(2p) and O(1s) binding energies in titania nanotubes were measured and a systematic trend in the XPS binding energies was observed. This indicated a strengthening of the Ti-O bond occurred as the material phase changed from titania nanotube to the titanate ribbon form. The changes in binding energies for both the Ti and O XPS peaks were consistent with changes observed in the Raman spectra of nanostructured titania.