Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 synthesized by anodization and anodic spark deposition

Several photocatalysts, based on titanium dioxide, were synthesized by spark anodization techniques and anodic spark oxidation. Photocatalytic activity was determined by methylene blue oxidation and the catalytic activities of the catalysts were evaluated after 70 hours of reaction. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X Ray Diffraction analysis were used to characterize the catalysts. The photocatalyst prepared with a solution of sulfuric acid and 100 V presented the best performance in terms of oxidation of the dye (62%). The electric potential during the synthesis (10 V, low potential; 100 V, high potential) affected the surface characteristics: under low potential, catalyst presented smooth and homogeneous surfaces with spots (high TiO2 concentration) of amorphous solids; under low potential, catalyst presented porous surfaces with crystalline solids homogeneously distributed.

Surface Characteristics of the Anodized and Hydrothermally Treated Titanium Affected by the Current Density, Voltage, and Time

This study examined the effect of the current density, anodizing voltage and time on the surface characteristics of titanium during anodic spark oxidation. Anodic spark oxidation was performed at different concentrations of electrolyte composed of DL-α-glycerophosphate (DL-α-GP) and calcium acetate (CA). The specimens were anodized at various conditions (current density, anodizing voltage, and duration) in a fixed electrolyte concentration. Anodized specimens were treated hydrothermally under high pressure steam using an autoclave. Homogeneous anodic oxide films were produced by anodic spark oxidation on the titanium surface with 1~4 μm diameter pores, and the breakdown voltage was changed by the electrolyte concentration. After the hydrothermal treatment, hydroxyapatite crystals formed as an enlarged polygonal shape in the higher concentration of DL-a-GP group and as thin needles in higher concentration of CA group. The bioactivity and osteoblast growth was good for the anodized surface at 340V compared with the groups applied other parameters.