Effect of annealing temperature on physical properties of nanostructured TiN/3DG composite. (15th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dabir, Fatemeh; Sarraf-Mamoory, Rasoul; Loeblein, Manuela; Tsang, Siu Hon; Teo, Edwin Hang Tong
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 90(2016)
• Page Start: 524
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2016-01-15
• Subjects: Titanium nitride -- Three-dimensional graphene -- Chemical method -- Annealing temperature -- Physical properties; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.10.152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, three-dimensional graphene (3DG) has attracted much attention in many research fields due to its unique structure and considerable properties. In order to expand the range of applications of 3DG, the suitable nanomaterials can be grown on its surface. In this study, titanium nitride (TiN) phase was deposited on 3DG porous structure by chemical method. This method contains two steps of immersing 3DG into a solution containing Ti ions and then annealing under ammonia atmosphere. The effect of annealing temperature on type of synthesized phases, their morphology, and stoichiometry was investigated. For this purpose, the samples were annealed at different temperatures (750–900 °C) and analyzed via various techniques. The results showed that increasing annealing temperature results in increased crystallite size and lattice constant, while decreased oxygen content in TiN structure. Annealing at 850 °C resulted in the most stoichiometric composition with titanium/nitrogen atomic ratio of 1.09, which had the lowest electrical resistivity of 0.41 Ω cm and lowest work function of 4.68 eV. After applying TiN, the water contact angle of 3DG (127° ) was reduced to lower than 90° . Such TiN/3DG composite can be a promising candidate as an electrode in solar cells. Graphical abstract: Highlights: TiN/3D-graphene (3DG) composite was synthesized by facile chemical method, followed by annealing at NH3 . The effect of annealing temperature on physical properties of TiN/3DG composite was investigated. Temperature of annealing in NH3 atmosphere has profound effect on the physical properties of synthesized TiN/3DG composite: work function is decreased, while wettability is increased compared to 3DG. The combination of properties obtained means that TiN/3DG composite may be a promising electrode material for dye sensitized solar cells.