Experiments at the Vienna University of Technology can
explain the behaviour of electrons at tiny step edges on titanium oxide
surfaces. This is important for solar cell technology and novel, more effective
catalysts.
It can be found in toothpaste, solar cells, and it is useful
for chemical catalysts: titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an extremely versatile material.
Alhough it is used for so many different applications, the behaviour of
titanium oxide surfaces still surprises. Professor Ulrike Diebold and her team
at the Vienna University of Technology managed to find out why oxygen atoms
attach so well to tiny step edges at titanium oxide surfaces. Electrons
accumulate precisely at these edges, allowing the oxygen atoms to connect more
strongly. In solar cells, this effect should be avoided, but for catalysts this
can be highly desirable.