A Comparative Study of Anodized Titania Nanotube Architectures in Aqueous and Nonaqueous Solutions

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Journal of Materials Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2011.243· OSTI ID:1023844

Sturgeon, Matthew R ^[1]; Lai, Peng ^[1]; Hu, Michael Z. ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The unique and highly utilized properties of TiO2 nanotubes are a direct result of nanotube architecture. In order to create different engineered architectures, the effects of electrolyte solution, time, and temperature on the anodization of titanium foil were studied along with the resultant anodized titanium oxide (ATO) nanotube architectures encompassing nanotube length, pore diameter, wall thickness, smoothness, and ordered array structure. Titanium foil was anodized in three different electrolyte solutions: one aqueous (consisting of NH4F and (NH4)2SO4)) and two nonaqueous (glycerin or ethylene glycol, both containing NH4F) at varying temperatures and anodization times. Variation in anodization applied voltage, initial current, and effect of F- ion concentration on ATO nanotube architecture were also studied. Anodization in the aqueous electrolyte produced short, rough nanotube arrays, whereas anodization in organic electrolytes produced long, smooth nanotube arrays greater than 10 m in length. Anodization in glycerin at elevated temperatures for several hours presents the possibility of producing freely dispersed individual nanotubes.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
• Sponsoring Organization: EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1023844
• Journal Information: Journal of Materials Research, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Research Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 26; ISSN 0884-2914
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANODIZATION
ARCHITECTURE
ELECTROLYTES
GLYCEROL
GLYCOLS
NANOTUBES
ROUGHNESS
THICKNESS
TITANIUM
TITANIUM OXIDES
anodization
anodized titania
nonaqueous electrolyte solutions