Fabrication of TiO2 Nanotube by Electrochemical Anodization: Toward Photocatalytic Application

Abstract

In this study, a self-organized nanotubular titanium dioxide (TiO2) array was successfully produced by anodizing pure titanium in a mixture of glycerol, distilled water (8% vol.), and ammonium fluoride using a dual electrode system. The size control and distribution of the nanopores were performed in a DC voltage range varying from 30 V to 60 V. The diameter of TiO2 nanopores varies from 59 to 128 nm depending on the anodizing voltage. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis reveals that the as-prepared films are essentially composed of TiO2. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy analysis, the nanotubular arrays of TiO2 annealed at 600°C for 2 hours are composed of a phase mixture of anatase and rutile. Mott-Schottky analysis showed that the TiO2 nanotubes are consistent with an n-type semiconductor with a donor density of about 1017 cm-3. Preliminary results on the photocatalytic degradation of a pharmaceutical pollutant showed that the TiO2 nanotubes can be used as a promising material for application in wastewater treatment.