Photoelectrochemical Performance of Smooth TiO2Nanotube Arrays: Effect of Anodization Temperature and Cleaning Methods

Chin Wei Lai,Srimala Sreekantan

doi:10.1155/2012/356943

Abstract

The formation of self-organized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays without bundling or clustering is essential for their high efficiency in photoelectrochemical (PEC) application. The present paper reports on the use of different temperatures to control the specific architecture of nanotube arrays and effective cleaning techniques to ensure the formation of clean TiO2nanotube surface. The wall thickness of nanotube arrays could be controlled from 12.5 nm to 37.5 nm through different anodization temperature ranging from 10°C to 80°C. Furthermore, ultrasonic cleaning combined with acetone showed the high-ordered TiO2nanotube arrays without morphological disorder, bundling, and microcrack problems. Based on the results obtained, a higher PEC response of 1 mA/cm2and a photoconversion efficiency of 1.3% could be achieved using a wall thickness of 12.5 nm and defect-free TiO2nanotube arrays for low charge transfer resistance.

Highlights

At present, modern society is habituated to a high degree of mobility, fast communication, and daily comfort, all of which require considerable energy input
To minimize the distortion-induced surface defects in nanotube arrays and reduce the consumption of hazardous chemical from hydrofluoric acid (HF), the present study introduces a simple, cost-effective, fast, and environmentally safe technique for producing highly specific clean surface areas of TiO2 nanotube arrays using ultrasonic cleaning combined with acetone
The current section discusses the effect of anodization temperature on the morphology of the TiO2 array nanotubes

Summary

Introduction

Modern society is habituated to a high degree of mobility, fast communication, and daily comfort, all of which require considerable energy input. Kim et al claimed that the structural disorder (nanograss) and bundling problem of TiO2 nanotube arrays could be avoided by forming a protective top layer on polished Ti samples to delay the chemical attack of the tube ends [21]. To minimize the distortion-induced surface defects in nanotube arrays and reduce the consumption of hazardous chemical from HF, the present study introduces a simple, cost-effective, fast, and environmentally safe technique for producing highly specific clean surface areas of TiO2 nanotube arrays using ultrasonic cleaning combined with acetone. The mechanistic understanding of various electrolyte temperatures and cleaning methods is very important for the controlled growth of ordered TiO2 nanotube structures, which have potential uses in the development of viable hydrogen fuel cell for a sustainable energy system

Experimental

Results and Discussion

60 Stage 1

Conclusion