Fabrication of advanced titanium dioxide nanotubes

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays can be synthesised through different methods such as hydrothermal synthesis and electrolytic anodisation. The specific properties of the titanium dioxide nanotube can be changed through the modification of the fabrication process such as changes to electrolyte and the addition of metal deposition. The crystalline structure of the self-organised titanium dioxide nanotube arrays was then altered in an annealing process. Titanium dioxide has many applications such as solar energy generation or use as a photo catalyst. By arranging the structure of titanium oxide in the form of tubes, the effectiveness of its ability in use as a photo catalyst increases. This paper looks at how titanium oxide nanotube arrays are being used as a photo catalyst. The structure of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays was then optimised and adjusted to increase the photocatalytic effectiveness in degradation of a common pollutant, Rhodamine B. Rhodamine B was diluted in distilled water and placed in a photocatalytic chamber with a sample of foil with the titanium dioxide nanotube arrays and illuminated with a 300W Xeon lamp and the degradation was recorded.