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A facile method to crystallize amorphous anodized TiO₂ nanotubes at low temperature
Yulong Liao1, Wenxiu Que, Peng Zhong
1Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, School of Electronic and Information Engineering and International Center for Dielectric Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 17, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed a low-temperature method to crystallize amorphous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes using hot water. This process yields crystalline TiO2 nanotubes with high photoactivity, comparable to commercial catalysts.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Anodic growth of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes is a significant area of research.
- Typically, as-prepared TiO2 nanotubes are amorphous and require high-temperature sintering (>450 °C) for crystallization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile, low-temperature method for crystallizing amorphous anodized TiO2 nanotubes.
- To investigate the potential of hot water treatment as a versatile strategy for TiO2 nanotube crystallization.
Main Methods:
- Amorphous anodized TiO2 nanotubes were immersed in hot water at 92 °C.
- Characterization techniques included field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis.
- Photocatalytic activity was evaluated using TiO2 nanotubes in powder form.
Main Results:
- Hot water immersion successfully transformed amorphous TiO2 nanotubes into a crystalline state at a low temperature (92 °C).
- The sample treated for 35 hours exhibited the highest photoactivity, matching that of the commercial Degussa P25 photocatalyst.
- Characterization confirmed the structural and morphological changes induced by the hot water treatment.
Conclusions:
- Hot water treatment is an effective and versatile method for low-temperature crystallization of amorphous anodized TiO2 nanotubes.
- This approach offers a viable alternative to conventional high-temperature sintering methods.
- The resulting crystalline TiO2 nanotubes demonstrate excellent photocatalytic performance.
