Electrochemical Synthesis and Morphological Analysis of Titanium Dioxide Nanostructures: Nanotubes, Nanograss, and Nanolace

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanostructures exhibit diverse morphologies depending on synthesis conditions. This study investigates the effects of varying anodization parameters on TiO₂ nanotubes, nanograss, and nanolace formation. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy is employed to analyze these nanostructures’ morphology and growth rates. The structural characteristics of the resulting nanostructures are precisely controlled by adjusting temperature, water content, duration, and applied potential during the anodization process. Nanotube length and diameter are influenced by ethylene glycol (EG) concentration, applied voltage, and temperature. The quantity of nanograss is determined by the anodization temperature. Nanolace formation is affected by hydrofluoric acid (HF) pretreatment of titanium foil. The results demonstrate that higher EG concentrations and applied potentials produce longer nanotubes, whereas lower EG concentrations with higher potentials result in larger nanotube diameters. Temperature variations control the amount of nanograss. HF pretreatment facilitates the formation of a hexagonal nanolace network on the surface. By tailoring synthesis conditions, this study provides a method for controlling the morphology of TiO₂ nanostructures. These findings have implications for optimizing TiO₂ nanostructures in sensors, photocatalysis, and other areas of nanotechnology, where specific structural properties are crucial for enhanced performance.