Study the Effect of Water Content on the Structure of Electrochemically Prepared TiO2 Nanotubes

In this research, the pure titanium foil was treated in glycerol base electrolyte with 0.7 wt.% NH4F and a small amount of H2O at 17 V for 2 hours by electrochemical anodization process in order to prepare Titania nanotube arrays at room temperature (~25 ºC), different water content was added to the electrolyte as a tube enhancing agent. The high density uniform arrays are prepared by using organized and well aligned these tubes. The average size of tube diameter, ranging from 57 to 92 nm which found it increases with increasing water content, and the length of the tube ranging from 2.76 to 4.12 µm, also found to increase with increasing water content and ranging in size of wall thickness from 23 to 35 nm. A possible growth mechanism is presented. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were utilized to study the structure and morphology of the Titania films.

Improving the Specific Surface Area of Etched Aluminum Foil by Fabricating the Micro/Nano Structure

Aluminum foil with micro/nano structure has been prepared by electrochemical DC etching and a subsequent anodization treatment followed by removal of the alumina film. When the micron-sized tunnels were generated on the etched aluminum foil, the size and distribution of the nano-concave formed on the sidewall of the etched tunnels varied with the anodized time in H2SO4 and C4H6O6 electrolyte. The optimal value of the specific surface area for the aluminum foil with micro/nano structure is approximately four times larger than that of the only etched aluminum foil. It is indicated from the chronoamperometry and BET measurements that the specific capacitance of aluminum foil with micro/nano structure can be significantly improved by suitable anodization in H2SO4 electrolyte, in comparison with a comparatively small increasement in C4H6O6 electrolyte. This can be attributed to the fact that the tardy anodization process will consume a considerable amount of aluminum substrate, resulting in the aggravation of the merged tunnels.

WO3 as Additive for Efficient Photocatalyst Binary System TiO2/WO3

Two different methods of synthesis of TiO2/WO3 heterostructures were carried out with the aim to increase photocatalytic activity. In this study, anodic TiO2 nanotube films were synthesized by electrochemical anodization of titanium foil. WO3 particles were applied to anodic Ti/TiO2 samples in two different ways – by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and insertion during the anodization process. Structural and photocatalytic properties were compared between pristine TiO2 and TiO2 with incorporated WO3 particles. Raman mapping was used to character-ise the uniformity of EPD WO3 coating and to determine the structural composition. The study showed that deposition of WO3 onto TiO2 nanotube layer lowered the band gap of the binary system compared to pristine TiO2 and WO3 influence on photo-electrochemical properties of titania. The addition of WO3 increased charge carrier dynamics but did not increase the measured photo-current response. As the WO3 undergoes a phase transition from monoclinic to orthorhombic at approximately 320 ℃ proper sequence WO3 deposition could be beneficial. It was observed that secondary heat treatment of WO3 lowers the photocurrent.

Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of NiO-doped TiO2 nanotubes prepared by an impregnation–calcination method

To improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, a series of NiO–TiO2 nanotubes (NTbs) is prepared by impregnating TiO2 nanotubes in a solution of NiCl2·6H2O at different concentrations. Self-organized TiO2 nanotubes are prepared by a two-step anodization process. Scanning electron microscopy images show that large particle agglomerates are formed for higher precursor concentrations, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy results indicate that the atomic percentages of Ni in the NiO–TiO2 NTbs prepared with precursor concentrations of 100 and 300 mM are 1.95% and 4.23%, respectively. Electronic lifetime measurements show that the recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs is lower for NiO–TiO2 NTbs compared to that of TiO2. Specifically, the recombination rate of the sample prepared at 50 mM is the lowest, which is associated with the longest electron lifetime. Compared to unmodified TiO2 nanotubes, NiO–TiO2 NTbs exhibit improved results for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B.

Titania Nanotube Architectures Synthesized on 3D-Printed Ti-6Al-4V Implant and Assessing Vancomycin Release Protocols

The aim of this study is to synthesize Titania nanotubes (TNTs) on the 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V surface and investigate the loading of antibacterial vancomycin drug dose of 200 ppm for local drug treatment application for 24 h. The antibacterial drug release from synthesized nanotubes evaluated via the chemical surface measurement and the linear fitting of Korsmeyer–Peppas model was also assessed. The TNTs were synthesized on the Ti-6Al-4V surface through the anodization process at different anodization time. The TNTs morphology was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The wettability and the chemical composition of the Ti-6Al-4V surface and the TNTs were assessed using the contact angle meter, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The vancomycin of 200 ppm release behavior under controlled atmosphere was measured by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and hence, the position for retention time at 2.5 min was ascertained. The FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of nanostructured TNTs with vertically oriented, closely packed, smooth and unperforated walls. The maximum cumulative vancomycin release of 34.7% (69.5 ppm) was recorded at 24 h. The wetting angle of both Ti-6Al-4V implant and the TNTs were found below 90 degrees. This confirmed their excellent wettability.

Design and Fabrication of Glucose Biosensors Based on Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase on Titanium Oxide Nanotube Arrays

An electrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose is realized by immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme onto titanium dioxide nanotube arrays by a coupling encapsulation process. We present details of a robust fabrication technique that results in a durable and reproducible sensor characteristics. The TiO2 nanotube arrays are grown directly on a titanium substrate by a potentiostatic anodization process in a water and ethylene-glycol mixture solution, which contains ammonium fluoride. An electropolymerization process was also performed to enhance interfacial adhesion between GOx and TiO2 nanotubes. Detection of glucose concentrations was achieved with a linear response in the range of 0.01 to 0.2 mM. Investigation of enhanced sensitivity by increasing the count, the length, and the cross-section of the nanotubes was also carried out. Surface morphologies of Ti substrate were examined by scanning electron microscopy to optimize the anodization process and thus the TiO2/Ti nanotube dimensions. We utilized a time-based amperometric response for the quantitative determination of hydrogen peroxide concentration through electro-reduction reaction with a bare TiO2/Ti nanotube-array electrodes, thus providing a reference for the determination of glucose levels with a GOx-coated TiO2/Ti nanotube array electrodes. Detection levels down to 5.2 μM were recorded.

Anodic synthesis of TiO2 nanotubes by step-up voltages

Fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) has extensive application properties due to their high corrosion resistant and compatibility with biomedical applications, the synthesis of TiO2 nanotubes over titanium has drawn interest in various fields. The synthesis of TiO2 NTs using novel in-situ step-up voltage conditions in the electrochemical anodization process is recorded in this work. For manufacturing the NTs at 1 hour of anodization, the input potential of 30, 40 and 50 V was selected. With increasing step-up voltage during the anodization process, an improvement in the NTs was observed, favoring corrosion resistance properties. The surface of NTs enhances the structure of the ribs, raising the potential for feedback over time. XRD was used to analyze phase changes, and HR-SEM analyzed surface topography. Impedance tests found that longer NTs improved the corrosion resistance.

Inorganic Thermoelectric Fibers: A Review of Materials, Fabrication Methods, and Applications

Thermoelectric technology can directly harvest the waste heat into electricity, which is a promising field of green and sustainable energy. In this aspect, flexible thermoelectrics (FTE) such as wearable fabrics, smart biosensing, and biomedical electronics offer a variety of applications. Since the nanofibers are one of the important constructions of FTE, inorganic thermoelectric fibers are focused on here due to their excellent thermoelectric performance and acceptable flexibility. Additionally, measurement and microstructure characterizations for various thermoelectric fibers (Bi-Sb-Te, Ag2Te, PbTe, SnSe and NaCo2O4) made by different fabrication methods, such as electrospinning, two-step anodization process, solution-phase deposition method, focused ion beam, and self-heated 3ω method, are detailed. This review further illustrates that some techniques, such as thermal drawing method, result in high performance of fiber-based thermoelectric properties, which can emerge in wearable devices and smart electronics in the near future.