Synthesis and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Self-Organized Anodic TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays

Abstract

Self-organized nanotube arrays were prepared by a facile two-electrode electrochemical anodization on pure Ti in a 0.5wt% NH 4 F aqueous electrolyte. The surface morphology, structure, optical and photoelectrochemical behaviors of the nanotubular films were considered. The as-formed nanotubes are highly ordered with ~700nm in length and the average tube diameter is about 90nm. By annealing the initially amorphous films at different temperatures, the importance of the crystalline nature is confirmed. The photoelectrochemical properties are investigated and the highest photocurrent of 2.297 mA/cm 2 is obtained under AM1.5 100 mW/cm 2 illumination at 0.6 V (vs Ag/AgCl).