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A facile route to accelerate the formation of TiO sub(2) nanotube arrays

Highly ordered TiO super(2) nanotube arrays fabricated by electrochemical anodization of titanium have attracted significant attention due to their splendid promising applications. One of the factors limiting the application of TiO sub(2) nanotube arrays was their long sustaining reaction time by an...

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Published in:Journal of physics. Conference series 2011-01, Vol.276 (1), p.1-6
Main Authors: Wang, Yan, Wu, Yucheng, Xu, Gaobin, Qin, Yongqiang, Zheng, Hongmei, Cui, Jiewu, Hong, Yu, Liu, Liang, Shu, Xia, Zheng, Yuchun, Huang, Xinmin
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Language:English
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Summary:Highly ordered TiO super(2) nanotube arrays fabricated by electrochemical anodization of titanium have attracted significant attention due to their splendid promising applications. One of the factors limiting the application of TiO sub(2) nanotube arrays was their long sustaining reaction time by anodic oxidation, usually lasting 6 - 12 h and even longer when systhesizing thicker nanotubular layers. In this paper, we reported for the first time a facile and effective route to accelerate the formation of TiO sub(2) nanotube arrays by proper proportional addition of sodium carbonate(Na sub(2)CO sub(3)) into the anodization electrolyte. In our experiments, we adopted the 0.3 wt% NH4F + EG (ethylene glycol) + 3.0 vol% H sub(2)O electrolyte and we added Na sub(2)CO sub(3) with the proportion n(NH sub(4)F) : n(Na sub(2)CO sub(3)) = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1. The field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) characterization results suggested the Na sub(2)CO sub(3) additives accelerated the growth rate of the TiO sub(2) nanotubes with the quickest growth rate 1100 nm/min when n(NH sub(4)F) : n(Na sub(2)CO sub(3)) = 2:1. Finally, we investigated the mechanism of the Na sub(2)CO sub(3) additives accelerating the growth rate of the TiO sub(2) nanotubes. It was believed that the hydrolyzation of the Na sub(2)CO sub(3) additives in the electrolytes accelerated the formation of the TiO sub(2) nanotubes and at the same time restrained the chemical dissolution of the formed TiO sub(2) nanotubes.
ISSN:1742-6588
1742-6596
DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/276/1/012047