One-dimension TiO2 nanostructures: Oriented attachment and application in dye-sensitized solar cell

Oriented attachment, as aggregation based crystallization, is one of the most promising approaches in designing novel nanostructures. A two-step solvothermal method is reported in this work to synthesize TiO2 nanochains with one-dimensional single-crystalline nature, which is formed by oriented attachment and with tunable length. We achieved selectively reducing the stereo-hindrance effect at (001) surfaces and making the processes of Ostwald ripening and oriented attachment asynchronous. By virtue of the 1D single crystalline nature, the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell was improved. This approach opens the door for controllable oriented attachment, and it is meaningful for designing novel nanoarchitectures.