Anodic TiO sub(2) nanotubes: double walled vs.single walled

Electrochemical formation of self-organized TiO sub(2) nanotube layers has been a highly active research field for more than 10 years. In the present manuscript we investigate the formation of two distinctly different anodic TiO sub(2) nanotube morphologies, 'single walled' and 'doubl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Faraday discussions 2013-09, Vol.164, p.107-116
Main Authors: Liu, Ning, Mirabolghasemi, Hamed, Lee, Kiyoung, Albu, Sergiu P, Tighineanu, Alexei, Altomare, Marco, Schmuki, Patrik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anodic
Electrolytes
Formations
Nanotubes
Titanium dioxide
Tubes
Tubes (electronic)
Walls
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Summary:Electrochemical formation of self-organized TiO sub(2) nanotube layers has been a highly active research field for more than 10 years. In the present manuscript we investigate the formation of two distinctly different anodic TiO sub(2) nanotube morphologies, 'single walled' and 'double walled' tubes, which are formed mainly depending on the nature of the anodization electrolyte. While the widest used electrolytes are ethylene glycol (EG) based, forming double walled structures, tubes formed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) based electrolytes show a single tube walled morphology. Here we provide reasons for the formation of double walled tubes, characterize tubes for their composition, structure and certain properties, and give measures to suppress or minimize double wall formation. Except for the fact that in DMSO single walled tubes are formed, we also show that they grow sufficiently slowly to allow partial crystallization of the tubes during growth - this, in turn drastically influences their electronic properties. Finally we discuss the effects and potential consequences of double or single wall growth for TiO sub(2) nanotube applications.
ISSN:1359-6640
1364-5498
DOI:10.1039/c3fd00020f