저널

We investigated a correlation between morphology and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂ nanotubes fabricated by well-controlled anodization processes. Anodization in an ethylene-glycol-based electrolyte solution accelerated the rapid grow rate of TiO₂ nanotubes, but also cause problems such as delamination at the interface between TiO₂ nanotubes and a Ti substrate, and debris on the top of the nanotube. The applied voltages for the anodization of TiO₂ were adjusted to avoid the interface delamination. The heat treatment and the anodizing time were also controlled to enhance the crystallinity of the as-prepared TiO₂ nanotubes and to increase the surface area with the varied length of the anodized TiO₂ nanotubes. Additionally, a 2-step anodization process was utilized to remove the debris on the tube top. The photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂ nanotubes prepared with the carefully tailored conditions were investigated. By removing the debris on TiO₂ nanotubes, applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of TiO₂ nanotubes increased up to 0.33%.

$TiO_2$ nanotube;Anodization;Photoelectrochemical properties;