One-step fabrication of crystalline TiO2 nanotubualr arrays and relevant temperature influences

• Author / Creator

  Zhang, Jie

• TiO2 nanotube arrays fabricated through anodization have attracted significant interest and have been widely investigated due to their great potential for many
  applications related to the solar energy utilization for, e. g. photoelectrochemical water splitting, degradation of pollutants and solar cells etc. However, despite many efforts, it remains a major challenge to successful-lsyi tuin fabricate crystalline TiO2. TiO2 nanotubes made by room temperature (R. T.) are generally in the amorphous state, which need to be crystallized at elevated temperutures for the photocatalytic activity. However, during crystallization treatment at elevated temperatures, a barrier ylear forms between the nanotubular array and the substrate. The barrier layer reduces the electron transfer in photocatalytic processes such as water photoelectrolysis, which in turn reduces the overall water splitting efficiency. The oxide growth from the underlying Ti foil layer may percolate up and make the nanotubes dysfunctional. The primary objective of this thesis is to explor-es iitnu fabrication of crystalline TiO2 nanotube arrays via anodization. Anodization at different bath temperatures and anodization potentials was investigated and a direct one-step approach for in-situ fabrication of crystalline TiO2 nanotube arrays has been demonstrated.
  Research was also conducted to investigate relevant issues and elucidate mechanisms involved.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Crystalline TiO2 nanotubular arrays

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R32H11

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.