Present and Future Trends in TiO₂ Nanotubes Elaboration, Characterization and Potential Applications

Abstract

The paper is focused on TiO₂ nanotubes elaboration, characterization and potential applications, starting from the idea that monitoring anodizing conditions is a way to obtain nanotubes with various dimensions and various potential applications related to the change of hydrophilic – hydrophobic balance, biocompatibility, nano-porosity, stability, etc. Such properties are important for the use of Ti as biomaterial, as self–cleaning, solar energy conversion, controllable wettability, photocatalysis, etc. The electrochemical behaviour of the nanotubes was monitoring by Tafel plots and open circuit potential determinations, and was discussed in connection with surface features evaluated from scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements.

Keywords:

• Electrochemical stability
• surface analysis
• titania nanotubes

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Romanian National CNCSIS Grant IDEI No. 624/2008.