Semiconductors are generally prepared by high temperature methods or by the use of vapor phase and ultra-high vacuum environments. Milder temperatures coupled with the use of condensed media, using water or other solvents (organic compounds or ionic liquids) represent interesting and economic alternatives for the growth of semiconductors in either bulk or thin film form. Electrodeposition is one such preparative methodology in this category, which already has seen widespread acceptance in the metallurgical and microelectronics sectors. This method is attractive from both fundamental and practical perspectives in terms of applicability to large and irregular device areas and the ability to prepare composite (e.g., metal/semiconductor) structures and unique semiconductor morphologies (e.g., nanotubes, nanodots). Anodic and cathodic electrosynthesis of metal oxide films and nanoporous/nanotubular morphologies will be briefly reviewed in terms of the underlying chemistry/electrochemistry and the mechanistic aspects. A new pulse anodization approach will be described along with data on titanium dioxide and tungsten trioxide nanotube and nanoporous films.

Another attractive method for the preparation of oxide semiconductors is combustion synthesis. This method offers an energy-efficient alternative to the high-temperature, energy intensive routes that are popular in the ceramics community. One attractive feature of this approach is the possibility it offers of in situ doping of oxide semiconductor hosts by simply tuning the precursor chemistry. New data on Nb-, Cr- and S-doped titanium dioxide will be presented as well as results on the enhanced visible light response of these materials relative to benchmark titania samples (e.g., Degussa P-25).

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/11386 must be provided.