Abstract
Titania nanotube arrays (NTAs) on titanium (Ti) fabricated by electrochemical anodization have attracted tremendous interest for diverse applications, of which most perform in aqueous environment or related to interaction with water. The NTAs are widely studied however the related factor of stability of NTAs when applied in such environment has rarely been concerned. We report that the annealed anatase NTAs are stable but the non-annealed amorphous NTAs are unstable to undergo specific structural change accompanied with a process of amorphous TiO2 dissolution and anatase TiO2 recrystallization. Quite unexpectedly, the non-annealed NTAs still show good stability without structural change in the cell culture media, possibly due to the presence of inorganics that may interfere with the TiO2 dissolution/redeposition process. The pH value of the aqueous environment is not a determinant factor for the structural change for non-annealed NTAs or not, while the temperature and the existence of F− can accelerate the structural change process. F− may play a very important role in the change process.
Highlights
Titania nanotube arrays (NTAs) on titanium (Ti) fabricated by electrochemical anodization have attracted tremendous interest for diverse applications, of which most perform in aqueous environment or related to interaction with water
For the NTAs formed in water electrolyte, no obvious change in the gross appearance was witnessed after water soaking, regardless of washing and annealing or not (Fig. S2)
The non-annealed NTAs formed in water electrolyte underwent a phase and morphological change after water soaking similar to those formed in ethylene glycol (EG) electrolyte
Summary
Titania nanotube arrays (NTAs) on titanium (Ti) fabricated by electrochemical anodization have attracted tremendous interest for diverse applications, of which most perform in aqueous environment or related to interaction with water. Titania nanotube arrays (NTAs) on titanium (Ti) fabricated by electrochemical anodization have attracted tremendous interest for diverse applications, of which most work in aqueous environment or related to the interaction with water, such as photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical water splitting, sensors, drug delivery and biological coatings[1,2]. The stability of NTAs fabricated in the electrolytes with water solvent or organic EG solvent, thoroughly washed or not, and annealed or not in the aqueous environments was observed (Fig. 1). The data hold great significance for the application of the NTAs in the aqueous environment or related to the interaction with water
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
