Influence of Anodic Oxidation Parameters of TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays on Morphology and Photocatalytic Performance

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTAs) were fabricated by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils. The effects of electrolyte, applied voltage, duration of anodic oxidation to morphology, and photocatalytic performance of TNTAs were investigated. TNTAs formed in electrolyte of glycol and DMSO tend to grow along radial direction with flimsy tube wall and weak adhesion on Ti substrate. Those in glycerol, however, easily achieve balance between growth rate and corrosion rate, form orderly arranged array of nanotubes with uniform diameter, moderate length, and strong adhesiveness with substrates then. Although the photocatalytic activity of Rh B degradation on TNTAs prepared in glycol and DMSO is higher than those prepared in glycerol, their convenience of recycling and recovery shows the opposite. The optimality condition of anodic oxidation for TNTAs with good morphology and photocatalytic performance was present, which may have potential application in the synthesis of composite nanoarrays.

Photoelectrocatalytic conversion of biomethane and biogas to hydrogen over a nanostructured Ti/ TiO 2 semiconductor

“…The SEM image evidenced the formation of TiO 2 nanotubes with internal diameter of approximately 41.7 nm, wall thickness of 10 nm, and tube length of approximately 2.4 μm. The formation of these nanotubes resulted from the electrochemical oxidation of Ti to TiO 2 , followed by dissolution in the fluoride ion electrolyte 36‐38 . The EDS analysis (Figure 2) confirmed the presence of Ti and O on the surface of the nanostructured Ti/TiO 2 electrode, with weight percentages of 58.8% Ti and 41.2% O, confirming its semiconductor composition and indicating that there were no interfering species on the electrode surface.…”

One-step fabrication of Ag/RGO doped TiO2 nanotubes during anodization process with high photocatalytic performance

“…To tackle these drawbacks, an intense effort has been made on the geometrical modification of TNTs and various strategies such as metal nanoparticles deposition, single or co-doping with metal ions/non-metal ions, coupling with other semiconductors and hybrid carbon nanomaterials [11,12]. Some studies have investigated and optimized the effect of structure and geometrical parameters and the morphology of TNTs [13][14][15]. In another approach, certain studies have investigated doping TNTs with various metals and non-metals [16][17][18][19].…”