Synthesis of TiO2 nanotube arrays through multistep anodization

Multistep electrochemical anodization is an electrochemical experiment orderly conducting in different electrolytes. In this paper, TiO2 nanotube arrays have been firstly anodic grown in aqueous electrolyte (H3PO4/HF) and later anodic grown in organic electrolyte (glycerol/NH4F). Compared with separately anodizing in aqueous and organic electrolyte, the morphology of the resulting nanotube arrays can be optimized. SEM images showed that the obtained nanotubes have a length of more than 2 mu m and single-pore diameter ranging from 120 to 150 nm. The current work indicates that the multistep electrochemical anodization has a contribution to the optimization of the morphology of TiO2 nanotube arrays.