In-situ preparation of multi-layer TiO₂ nanotube array thin films by anodic oxidation method

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 65; no. 8; pp. 1188 - 1190
• Main Authors: Li, Hongyi, Wang, Jinshu, Huang, Kelin, Sun, Guosong, Zhou, Meiling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.04.2011
• Subjects: Anodizing; Arrays; electrolytes; glycerol; Multilayers; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; nanotubes; oxidation; Thin films; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2011.01.038

The multi-layer TiO₂ nanotube array thin films have been formed by anodic oxidation method via adjusting the outer voltage during oxidation process in glycerol electrolyte containing 0.3% NH₄HF₂. The diameter of the nanotube array increases with the outer voltage, and the length of nanotube in every layer increases with the anodic oxidation time. These multi-layers bring new possibilities to tailor the properties of the TiO₂ nanotube array thin films formed via anodic oxidation method. Further, such multi-layer structure provide a new approach to evaluate the growth rate of TiO₂ nanotube, which will help us to understand more deeply the formation mechanism of the TiO₂ nanotubes. The growth rate of TiO₂ nanotube array is respectively 1.2 and 3.6μm/h under the anodic voltage of 30V and 60V. These multi-layer TiO₂ nanotube array thin films may exhibit lots of potential applications in photoelectrochemical fields.