title: Particles coming together: electron centers in adjoined TiO2 nanocrystals.
abstract: To include particle attachment and porosity of nanostructured materials in the discussion of their electronic properties is critical to our understanding of charge transfer across grain boundaries. We report the condensation of isolated TiO(2) nanocrystals via the application of a simple hydration-dehydration cycle. After contact with water and subsequent removal of adsorbed water, these nanocrystals form a mesoporous structure with altered properties as compared with the original material: first, the energy needed for defect formation is substantially reduced, and second, electron paramagnetic resonance measurements reveal the presence of polarizable conduction band electrons not detectable in samples which have not been in contact with water.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Chemistry, Vienna University of Technology, Veterinärplatz 1/GA, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Elser
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brandhuber
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Diwald
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knözinger