Fabrication of Ti–Al–Zr alloy oxide nanotube arrays in organic electrolytes by anodization

Abstract

We report the formation of self-organized Ti–Al–Zr alloy oxide nanotube arrays at different fluoride concentrations in formamide and glycerol electrolytes. The nanotube morphology is strongly influenced by the fluoride concentration, applied potential and reaction time. Titanium alloy (Ti–Al–Zr) oxide nanotube arrays with a length of about 6.13 μm, a pore diameter of 116 nm and wall thickness of 55 nm were prepared at 50 V for 24 h in formamide and glycerol mixtures (volume ratio 1:1) with addition of 1.0 wt% NH4F. The as-prepared nanotubes were amorphous and alloy oxide crystals appeared after annealing in air at 400 and 600 °C for 3 h.