Oxygen Vacancy-Induced Phase Transformations of Iron-Doped Titanium Oxide Nanostructures
Oxygen vacancies play a pivotal role in tailoring the electronic, optical, and catalytic properties of reducible metal oxides. Here, we provide a complete overview of oxygen vacancy-induced structural evolution of iron-doped titanium oxide nanomaterials with insights into their synthesis, formation, and crystallization processes. Structural analysis combining multiple techniques reveals the formation of anatase nanoparticles at low Fe loadings (i.e., ≤10 at. % Fe). At intermediate Fe concentrations (i.e., 15-20 at. % Fe), a mixture of anatase and rutile forms with the presence of extended disordered defects similar to crystallographic shear planes. These become more notable at high Fe loadings (i.e., ≥30 at. % Fe) with the complete transition to the rutile phase with a high density of defects. Moreover, we provide important information on the nucleation, growth, and crystallization processes during synthesis, emphasizing the impact of Fe atom incorporation on the TiO<sub>2</sub> lattice, the formation of reaction intermediates, and the structural evolution at the nano regime. The ability to control oxygen vacancies and engineer defects in Fe-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> allows for the optimization of charge transport, enhancing catalytic activity and tuning optical properties for applications in environmental remediation, sensing, and next-generation semiconductor technologies.
Authors
- Adrián Sanz Arjona (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3208-5929)
- Guilherme B. Strapasson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-679X)
- Cristiane B. Rodella (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1683-4264)
- Kirsten M. Ø. Jensen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0291-217X)
- Adam F. Sapnik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6200-4208)
- Joseph E. McPeak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8677-6405)
- Heloisa N. Bordallo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0750-0553)
- Olivia Aalling‐Frederiksen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1462-7173)
- Daniela Zanchet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1475-2548)
- Nanna L. Baun
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) (BR)
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (BR)
- Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Nano
- Published
- 2025-08-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c08093
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.52
Funders
- Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet
- Villum Fonden
- European Commission
- National Research Foundation
- Danmarks Grundforskningsfond
- Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo
- VINNOVA
- Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Carlsbergfondet
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Novo Nordisk
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais
- Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron
- H2020 European Research Council