The selective fabrication of large-area highly orderedTiO2 nanorod and nanotube arrays on conductive transparent substrates via sol–gelelectrophoresis

Abstract

Large-area free-standing arrays ofTiO2 nanorods and nanotubes were selectively synthesized on transparent conductingindium tin oxide substrates using sol–gel electrophoresis and anodic alumina(AAO) thin film templates. The effect of sol–gel ageing on the growth ofTiO2 was explained, providing a tailored ability to produce nanotubes and nanorods. An annulartungsten base electrode, stemming from the anodization of the AAO template, was foundto be crucial to the growth of nanotubes. This was supported by a study of substrateannealing in a reducing atmosphere. The work can be readily adapted for the fabrication offree-standing arrays of other metal, metal oxide, and complex oxide nanorod and nanotubearrays on conducting substrates.