Preparation and characterization of titanium dioxide nanotube array supported hydrated ruthenium oxide catalysts

Abstract

This work aimed at preparing and characterizing TiO2 nanotube supported hydrated ruthenium oxide catalysts. First of all, we succeeded in preparing TiO2 nanotube arrays by electrochemical anodization of titanium metal at 20 V for 8 h in a 1M H3PO4 + 0.5 wt% HF solution as evidenced from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy fXPS) results. The hydrated ruthenium oxide was then deposited onto TiO 2 nanotubes by consecutive exchange of protons by Ru3+ ions, followed by formation of hydrated oxide during the alkali treatment. Further XPS measurements showed that the modified samples contain not only hydrated ruthenium oxide but also hydrated ruthenium species Ru(III)-OH. © 2012 Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology.