Anodic Growth Behavior of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays with Process Parameter Control

Abstract

TiO2 nanotube arrays are very attractive materials by their vertically aligned porous nanostructures. They are easy to make using an anodic oxidation process in organic and inorganic electrolytes containing halogen ions, like fluorine and chlorine. Their growth tendency, various microstructures of TiO2 nanotube arrays, was fabricated and analysed with controlling of anodic oxidation process parameter like applied voltage, process time, electrolyte temperature, concentration of ammonium fluoride and DI water in ethylene glycol electrolyte, voltage applying and dropping rate, grain orientation, and size of titanium foil. Pore diameter and length were controlled in the range of 16 nm to 178 nm and 0.2 μm to 14.6 μm, respectively. Some tendencies of their growth were observed with different anodic oxidation variables. This growth tendency of TiO2 nanotube arrays is should be considered before they used in many applications, and if optimal structure for each application was fabricated and used, they will show better performance.