Investigation on nanotubular surface structure of Ti-10Nb-10Ta alloy by anodization

The anodized nanotubular surface structure of a Ti-10wt.%Ta-10wt.%Nb alloy were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and depth profiling, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A highly ordered layer of individual nanotubes approximately 100 nm in diameter and 600 nm in length was formed. XPS revealed the nanotubes to be composed mainly of TiO2. The XPS depth profile suggested that the nanotubular surface structure consisted of three zones: (1) a zone containing fluorine element, (2) a zone containing oxygen and titanium elements whose concentrations changed rapidly, and (3) a zone containing mainly titanium element.