A novel route to large-scale and robust free-standing TiO₂nanotube membranes based on N₂gas blowing combined with methanol wetting

Abstract

We present a novel and straightforward approach to fabricate large-scale and robust free-standing TiO(2) nanotube (TNT) membranes. Simply by blowing N(2) gas onto as-anodized TNTs that are wetted with methanol, free-standing TNT membranes are produced. The approach also provides homogeneous and honeycomb-like Ti substrates after the detachment of TNT membranes. Through the second anodization of the honeycomb-like Ti substrates following the N(2) blowing, TNT membranes comprising hexagonally close-packed and regularly ordered TNTs with clear open ends can be achieved. Characterization of the free-standing TNT membranes using Raman spectroscopy and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope reveals that anatase TiO(2) and crystalline graphitic carbon are embedded in the bottom surface of the free-standing TNT membranes.

Optical properties of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays

“…[13][14][15]29 The TiO 2 nanotube arrays were detached from the Ti metal substrate from which they "grew" during anodization by exploiting the surface tension that occurs when they are rinsed with a large surface tension liquid and air dried as described elsewhere. 10,18,20,30,31 Figure 2 contains scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and a photo of the open and closed sides of some of the "free-standing" nanotube arrays fabricated.…”

Fabrication of cobalt-nickel binary nanowires in a highly ordered alumina template via AC electrodeposition

“…Electrochemical deposition is the most simple, efficient, versatile, and cost effective technique. It is well known that anodization of metals is always associated with an insulting barrier layer between the metal substrate and metal oxide film [21]. Thickness of the barrier layer mainly depends upon the anodizing voltage with a growth rate of 1 nm/V [22].…”

Free-standing Bi–Sb–Te films derived from thermal annealing of sputter-deposited Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3multilayer films for thermoelectric applications

“…They were much more intense than the other peaks. 34 When the annealing temperature was increased, voids were formed, mainly in the Sb 2 Te 3 layer due to solid-state reactions and the unique crystallization behavior of the material. In the case of Sb 2 Te 3 films, however, no preferred growth of the crystal plane (015) was detected, similar to Bi 2 Te 3 films and the crystallization was more extensive compared with an asdeposited film.…”