Synthesis of TiO2 nanotubes by electrochemical anodization method for photocatalytic application

Abstract

Self–organized TiO2 nanotube arrays were synthesized by anodization of Ti foil in ethylene glycol electrolyte containing water and NH4F. The photocatalytic activities of fabricated samples were evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under UV A irradiation. Various factors such as electrolyte composition, voltage, anodization time, annealing time were also investigated in order to find out the conditions for synthesis of TiO2 nanotube arrays which show the highest photocatalytic activity. The as–synthesized TiO2 nanotubes were highly ordered, with the inner diameter of 6–130nm and the length of 2–3μm. The nanotubes presented a good adhesion with the Ti foil. The photocatalytic efficiency of the best sample (2x2cm area) reached 69% in the photo-degradation of 100ml of 5.10–6M methylene blue after 3 hours under UV A irradiation.