Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Fabricated at Ambient Temperature via pH5 Acidic Solution

Abstract

Abstract This study focuses on the fabrication of titanium dioxide TiO2 via a pH 5 acidic solution of hydrofluoric acid to produce a nanotube structure of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The anodization processes of some metals have been a well-known method over the years in converting metal foils into its oxide form due to its strong affinity with oxygen. Titanium foils have also been used in this way to convert the metal into its oxide form which has found use in many areas of application. The anodizing method is a simple process but requires knowledge of the key parameters to be suitably controlled in the fabrication of the nanotube structure without destroying the oxide layer initially formed on the surface. The parameters used include a pH 5 of the HF solution, anodizing time of 10 minutes, and a 20 V applied potential from a direct current power supply. After the anodization process the heat treatment of the samples was performed at 300, 500, and 700°C to observe the phase transformation from an amorphous titanium dioxide to anatase and rutile phase. The surface morphology was observed using field emission-scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive x-ray to identify the percentage of the elemental composition present after the anodization process and the phase changes by x-ray diffraction (XRD).