Nanomechanical properties of array TiO 2 nanotubes

Abstract

Effect of nanomechanical properties of un-annealed TiO 2 nanotubes and those annealed at different temperatures prepared by electrochemical anodization growth is investigated. The characteristics include the growth mechanism, contact angle, nanoindentation load, and photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. Results show that the morphologies of the nanotubes exhibit nearly regular vertical alignment when the anodization time is over 90 min. The TiO 2 nanotubes tapered off to a point and had ripples in their side walls. TiO 2 nanotube surfaces possess a hydrophilic phenomenon and the contact angle decreased with increasing electrochemical anodization time. A hysteresis loop during nanoindentation load–unload was observed, indicating that the nanotube surface has elastic energy dissipation. The Young’s modulus increased with increasing annealing temperature. The intensities of PL increased with increasing annealing temperature. Un-annealed and annealed TiO 2 nanotubes dominate the hardness property and potential mechanically stable.