Initial growth study of TiO2 nanotube arrays anodised in KOH/fluoride/ethylene glycol electrolyte

Publication date: 15 August 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 128
Author(s): Mustaffa Ali Azhar Taib, Khairunisak Abdul Razak, Mariatti Jaafar, Zainovia Lockman
The growth process of TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) in KOH/fluoride/EG was investigated particularly at the initial stages of anodisation. TNTs were obtained after 1min of anodisation at 60V but the surface was not completely etched. More complete surface etching was achieved by prolonged anodisation time to 30min. Anatase TiO2 formation in as-anodised TNTs was observed but annealing was required to induce crystal growth. Photocatalytic activity of 400°C annealed TNTs was assessed by degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under ultraviolet radiation. MB degradation on TNTs prepared in KOH/fluoride/EG was found to be faster (80% degradation after 1h) compared with TNTs prepared in H2O/fluoride/EG (55% degradation after 1h).

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