In situ ion irradiation of amorphous TiO2 nanotubes

Chao Yang, Tristan Olsen, Miu Lun Lau, Kassiopeia A. Smith, Khalid Hattar, Amrita Sen, Yaqiao Wu, Dewen Hou, Badri Narayanan, Min Long, Janelle P. Wharry, Hui Xiong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Understanding of structural and morphological evolution in nanomaterials is critical in tailoring their functionality for applications such as energy conversion and storage. Here, we examine irradiation effects on the morphology and structure of amorphous TiO2 nanotubes in comparison with their crystalline counterpart, anatase TiO2 nanotubes, using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in situ ion irradiation TEM, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Anatase TiO2 nanotubes exhibit morphological and structural stability under irradiation due to their high concentration of grain boundaries and surfaces as defect sinks. On the other hand, amorphous TiO2 nanotubes undergo irradiation-induced crystallization, with some tubes remaining only partially crystallized. The partially crystalline tubes bend due to internal stresses associated with densification during crystallization as suggested by MD calculations. These results present a novel irradiation-based pathway for potentially tuning structure and morphology of energy storage materials. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1144-1155
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Materials Research
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 28 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amorphous
  • Crystallization
  • Irradiation
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Nanotubes
  • TiO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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