The Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of TiO2 Nanotube Array by Starch-Modified Anodic Oxidation

In this study, the characterization and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotube arrays prepared by anodization process with starch addition were investigated in detail. The results suggested that the optimum mass fraction of starch added in anodization process was 0.1%, with which TiO2 nanotube arrays owning good tubular structure were synthesized. The tube length and average inner diameter of nanotubes were approximately 4 μm and 30 nm, respectively. Through the characterization of TiO2 nanotube arrays by energy dispersive spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, it was found that the as-prepared nanotubes possessed well uniformed and higher photodegradation responsive than the pure TiO2 . Moreover, it was expected that the as-prepared nanotubes exhibited good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB under UV-light irradiation, which could be ascribed to their good morphology, enhanced UV-light absorption property and electron transmission ability during the photocatalytic reaction. In addition, the nanotubes were not significantly regenerated during the cycling runs experiment. Overall, this study could provide a principle method to synthesize TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photocatalytic activity by anodization process with starch addition for environmental purification.