Electron transfer on a titanium dioxide/electrolyte solution interface has
been studied. As observed by other researchers on similar interfaces (TiO2-
and ZnO- electrolyte solution), slow consumption of OH- ions was found.
A theoretical model has been developed for calculating the change in Fermi
energy levels of both electrolyte solution and semiconductor, showing that
ion consumption from the solution is favoured by a decreased difference in
their Fermi Energies. A kinetic constant (upsilon) is found to characterise
the consumption process, its value increasing with electrolyte and semicon
ductor mass concentrations. Furthermore, this process may be used to estima
te the point of zero charge of a titanium dioxide colloidal dispersion.