Electron Dynamics in Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles by Ultrafast Broadband Deep-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Abstract

The optical bandgap of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles is dominated by bulk absorption bands in the deep-ultraviolet due to strongly bound excitons. These spectral features can be utilized as a sensitive probe of carrier and lattice dynamics inside the TiO2 nanoparticles. Here, we implement ultrafast broadband spectroscopy tuned to the exciton resonances in order to track the electron cooling in the conduction band of bare anatase nanoparticles and monitor the electron injection dynamics from an external dye in the case of sensitized anatase nanoparticles.