Synthesis of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotubes and the Effects of Deionized Water on their Surface Morphology and Microstructure

Abstract

Nanotubes of TiO2 have been synthesized on titanium metal by DC anodization at 50 V in an EG/NH4F/D.I. H2O electrolyte. The anodization apparatus which uses a platinum cathode is unique and designed to allow only for a single-face anodization. The influence of deionized water (D.I. H2O) on the surface morphology of the nanotubes was investigated using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), while the microstructure before and after calcination was studied using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Results show that the surface density and uniformity of the TiO2 nanotube arrays varies with the percentage of D.I. H2O in the electrolyte. The best result was obtained at 6% vol D.I. H2O after calcination. This result is useful since, the surface morphology and microstructure play a vital role in the performance of TiO2 nanotubes in various applications.