Synthesis and characterization of highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays

Abstract

Highly-ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNA) by anodizing Ti foil were carried out using a slightly modified electrochemical process. The parameters such as anodization potentials and duration have been varied in order to fabricate the specific length and diameter of TNA. The morphologies of TNA were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (Hitachi S-4100 FE-SEM). The crystalline phase and structure were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (Rigaku, XRD). The processing anodic current density with time was recorded by Keithley 2400. The photocurrents induced by UV-light were characterized by CHI 611. The performance of hydrogen production from photoelectrocatalytic effect of larger diameter TNA is found to be higher than the smaller diameter TNA. Base on the microstructure and calculation, we confirmed that larger diameter TNA do exhibit higher surface area.