Ordering of metal complex sensitizers on TiO 2 nanopowders: structure of interface organic/inorganic

The crystal structure of three efficient Ru-sensitizers of TiO2 anatase nanopowders are discussed in terms of formation of two-dimensional molecular packings on the anatase surfaces. The surface areas of sensitizer molecules on the flat semiconductor surfaces are calculated. The symmetry of the (001) and (101) surface of naturally grown TiO2 anatase has been investigated using low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) technique. The first results on the orientation of sensitizer molecules on the mostly exposed surface (101) of anatase single crystal are obtained from HRTEM data. The amount of sensitizer molecules on the mostly exposed faces of anatase nanocrystals in thin colloidal TiO2 anatase films could be estimated using crystal structure data on both sensitizers structures and anatase surface.