TiO2 Nanotubes with Nanograss Structure: The Effect of the Anodizing Voltage on the Formation Mechanism and Structure Properties

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) with a nanograss structure were synthesized in a fluoride organic electrolyte based on ethylene glycol under a potentiostatic anodization regime. By varying the anodization voltage, significant morphological differences were obtained, and the upper NTs’ surface has a nanograss appearance caused by the thinning of top tube walls, the result of the vertical splitting mechanism of nanograss growth. The samples were characterized using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, UV–visible spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky (MS) analysis. The obtained results show that samples annealed at 500°C for 3 h crystallized into anatase form and displayed the apparition of rutile phase at higher anodization voltage, where the morphology was significantly improved with thicker tube walls. The MS measurement of all samples displays a n-type semiconductor nature and the flat band potential (Ufb) takes less negative values by the increasing anodization voltage. As a result, TiO2 NTs with a nanograss structure expedite electron–hole separation, therefore, providing a lower recombination rate.