The Effect of Water Content on TiO2 nanotube Formation by Anodic Oxidation

In this thesis, TiO2 nanotube arrays (TND) were grown on titanium foil using anodic oxidation (anodization) method. To understand the effect of water in the electrolyte, different amounts of water were added to the TiO2 nanotube arrays. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the obtained TiO2 nanotube arrays were examined by XRD and SEM techniques. Photo-electrocatalytic activities and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) of TNDs grown in electrolytes containing different water additives were investigated. As the amount of water in the electrolyte increased, the nanotube morphology deteriorated, but the crystal structure improved. Furthermore, as the water additive increased, TNDs showed better photo-electrocatalytic performance. In direct proportion to this, it was observed that the load transfer resistance on the surface of the TND decreased as the water contribution increased.