Control of size and shape of titania nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide is one of the most widely used metal oxide semiconductors for photoinduced processes because of its comparatively low cost, low toxicity and its ability to resist photocorrosion. Nanoparticulate TiO₂ has proven as efficient light-harvesting material for potential use in photocatalytic removal of hazardous industrial byproducts, in nanocrystalline solar cells, photovoltaics and sensors. Manipulating shape and size of TiO₂ nanoparticles has gained considerable attention primarily in order to control surface chemistry at nanoscale. Although uniform morphologies and well-defined structures have been studied, there is still lack of full understanding of the interconnection between surface, bulk and electronic properties of nano-TiO₂. Herein, we will discuss how size, shape and crystallinity of TiO₂ nanoparticles affect their electronic properties, and how interplay between these properties affect tailoring of nano-TiO₂ in order to create efficient functional systems.