Structural modulation and band gap optimisation of electrochemically anodised TiO2 nanotubes

Abstract

This analytical study highlights the effects of dimensional modulations on the characteristic properties of anodically grown Titania nanotubes. Titania nanotubes were grown using electrochemical anodization method employing a two-electrode system. The as-grown nanotubes with different dimensions were characterized in order to study their structural, electrical and optical properties. The investigation reveals that the impact of dimension was pivotal in tuning the band gap of these anodically grown Titania nanotubes which asserts its successful application in various fields. The desired dimensional modulation of the nanotubes was achieved by changing the corresponding anodising voltage. This study also employs a remedial two step anodization technique in addition to the conventional one step method and presents its distinctive edge over the other as established by various characterisation techniques. The comparative variations in the structural and crystallite dimensions of the Titania nanotubes anodised by two different methods were investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction spectroscopy respectively, while the band gap tuning ability as well as absorption characteristics were determined by UV-Diffuse Reflectance spectroscopy. Finally, the effective changes in the band gap were corroborated by analysing the field effect dark and photo-conductive nature of the two materials.