EFFECT OF ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF TiO2 GROWN BY ANODIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR PHOTOELECTROCATALYTIC APPLICATION

Abstract

In this work, TiO2 nanotube thin films were prepared by using the anodization technique. Different electrolytes solutions were used to specify the optimum condition. Annealing in air at different temperatures of (400, 500, and 600)[Formula: see text]C at constant time of 1[Formula: see text]h was achieved for all films. The structure (XRD, SEM, EDX, and AFM), and optical (UV–Visible spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, and Spectral Response) properties of nanotube TiO2 films were investigated and analyzed for different electrolyte solutions. XRD analysis of all deposited films has confirmed the formation of polycrystalline-tetragonal phase (anatase, and rutile) with increase in crystalline size and, annealing temperatures. SEM measurements of TiO2 films show nanotube shapes with outer diameter of (80–130) nm. EDX analysis confirmed the stoichiometry ratio between Ti and O to be 1:2 to produce TiO2 film. PL measurement results show two peaks: one located at UV-region pointing to energy band gap (Eg) for TiO2 nano films; the second one is located at visible region pointing to impurities on films. Spectral response measurements show photocurrent peaks centered at UV-region (355[Formula: see text]nm). Then, TiO2 films were deposited with different electrolyte solution for photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) application. The higher response to UV-light was received by using TiO2 film grown by anodization technique with (HNO[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]HF) electrolyte solution.