Synthesis and Characterization of Anodized Titanium Oxide Nanotubes Arrays

摘要

Anodized titanium oxide containing highly ordered, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays is a nanomaterial architecture that shows promise for diverse applications. In this paper, an anodization synthesis using HF-free aqueous solutions is described. The anodized TiO2 film samples (amorphous, anatase, and rutile) on titanium foils were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Additional testing was performed using an electrochemical cell to study the photoelectrochemical splitting of water. Results were analyzed in terms of the efficiency of current generated, defined as the ratio of the difference between the electrical energy output and the electrical energy input divided by the input radiation energy. It was determined that the anatase crystalline structure is a better photocatalytic material for hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical splitting of water.