• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.487-493
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• 2010

There has been a controversy on the formation mechanism of $TiO_2$ nanotubes. This study was conducted to elucidate the formation mechanism of $TiO_2$ nanotubes. $TiO_2$ nanotubes were prepared by a hydrothermal method. $TiO_2$ nanotubes formation mechanism was investigated by controlling the formation time. It was found that $TiO_2$ nanotubes were formed by growing, not by wrapping of sheets. The phase structure of hydrogen titanate nanotubes was different from that of $TiO_2$ nanotubes. It is important to wash the sodium titanate nanotubes with an acidic solution to get hydrogen titanate nanotubes and then to calcine the hydrogen titanate nanotubes around $400^{\circ}C$ to obtain $TiO_2$ nanotubes.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2016

We demonstrate the electrochromic properties of $TiO_2$ nanotubes prepared by an anodization process and investigate the effects of heat treatment and viologen incorporation on them. The morphology and crystal structure of anodized $TiO_2$ nanotubes are investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. As-formed $TiO_2$ nanotubes have straight tubular layers with an amorphous structure. As the annealing temperature increases, the anodized $TiO_2$ nanotubes are converted to the anatase and rutile phases with some cracks on the tube surface and irregular morphology. Electrochemical results reveal that amorphous $TiO_2$ nanotubes annealed at $150^{\circ}C$ have the largest oxidation/reduction current, which leads to the best electrochromic performance during the coloring/bleaching process. Viologen-anchored $TiO_2$ nanotubes show superior electrochromic properties compared to pristine $TiO_2$ nanotubes, which indicates that the incorporation of a viologen can be an effective way to enhance the electrochromic properties of $TiO_2$ nanotubes.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2018

In the present work, we demonstrate the feasibility to form large inner diameter $TiO_2$ nanotubes by anodization of Ti in a HF/ethylene glycol electrolyte. In order to achieve the large inner diameter $TiO_2$ nanotubes, optimization of the anodization condition is required. We discover the key factors in the formation of large inner diameter $TiO_2$ nanotubes are concentration of water in the electrolyte, anodization temperatures, and high-applied potential. Under optimum conditions, the inner diameters of $TiO_2$ nanotubes are 379 nm. The results are approximately 3 folders larger than the general case.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.298-305
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• 2019

We investigated a correlation between morphology and photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂ nanotubes fabricated by well-controlled anodization processes. Anodization in an ethylene-glycol-based electrolyte solution accelerated the rapid grow rate of TiO₂ nanotubes, but also cause problems such as delamination at the interface between TiO₂ nanotubes and a Ti substrate, and debris on the top of the nanotube. The applied voltages for the anodization of TiO₂ were adjusted to avoid the interface delamination. The heat treatment and the anodizing time were also controlled to enhance the crystallinity of the as-prepared TiO₂ nanotubes and to increase the surface area with the varied length of the anodized TiO₂ nanotubes. Additionally, a 2-step anodization process was utilized to remove the debris on the tube top. The photoelectrochemical properties of TiO₂ nanotubes prepared with the carefully tailored conditions were investigated. By removing the debris on TiO₂ nanotubes, applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of TiO₂ nanotubes increased up to 0.33%.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.180-186
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• 2010

$TiO_2$ nanotubes were formed on Ti by anodizing in 1 M $H_3PO_4$ + 0.3 M HF and 0.1 M $NH_4F$ + 2% $H_2O$ in ethylene glycol, and their surface and cross-sectional morphologies were observed using FE-SEM as a function of anodizing time and applied voltage. The cross-section of the $TiO_2$ nanotubes was readily observed from the small pieces of nanotubes remaining near the scratch lines after scratching of the anodized surface. $TiO_2$ nanotubes was observed to grow faster and thicker in non-aqueous solution than in aqueous solution. Diameter of $TiO_2$ nanotubes was proportional to the applied voltage, irrespective of the type of the electrolyte, and it is recommended to use non-aqueous solutions for the preparation of larger diameter of $TiO_2$ nanotubes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.66-66
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• 2011

Anodic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes are very attractive materials for gas sensors due to its large surface to volume ratios. The most widely known method for fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes is anodic oxidation of metallic Ti foil. Since the remaining Ti substrate is a metallic conductor, TiO2 nanotube arrays on Ti are not appropriate for gas sensor applications. Detachment of the TiO2 nanotube arrays from the Ti Substrate or the formation of electrodes onto the TiO2 nanotube arrays have been used to demonstrate gas sensors based on TiO2 nanotubes. But the sensitivity was much lower than those of TiO2 gas sensors based on conventional TiO2 nanoparticle films. In this study, Ti thin films were deposited onto a SiO2/Si substrate by electron beam evaporation. Samples were anodized in ethylene glycol solution and ammonium fluoride (NH4F) with 0.1wt%, 0.2wt%, 0.3wt% and potentials ranging from 30 to 60V respectively. After anodization, the samples were annealed at $600^{\circ}C$ in air for 1 hours, leading to porous TiO2 films with TiO2 nanotubes. With changing temperature and CO concentration, gas sensor performance of the TiO2 nanotube gas sensors were measured, demonstrating the potential advantages of the porous TiO2 films for gas sensor applications. The details on the fabrication and gas sensing performance of TiO2 nanotube sensors will be presented.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2013

We report here flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) based on Ti-mesh electrodes that show good mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity. $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays prepared by electrochemical anodizing Ti-mesh substrate were used as photoanode. A Pt-coated Ti-mesh substrate was used as counter electrode. The photoanodes were modified by coating a $TiO_2$ porous layer onto the $TiO_2$ nanotubes in order to increase the specific surface area. To increase the long term stability of the DSSCs, a gel type electrolyte was used instead of a conventional liquid type electrolyte. The DSSC based on $33.2{\mu}m$ long porous $TiO_2$ nanotubes exhibited a better energy conversion efficiency of ~2.33%, which was higher than that of the DSSCs based on non-porous $TiO_2$ nanotubes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.601-606
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• 2017

One-dimensional nanostructured metal oxide can be formed through an anodic oxidation, which is a typical technique of metal surface treatment. Studies on $TiO_2$ nanotubes have been widely carried out with increasing interests in $TiO_2$, which has an excellent functionality among various metal oxides. The present article reviews the principles of formation of $TiO_2$ nanotubes, which have been studied so far. In particular, the article discussed the equilibrium relationship between the oxide formation and etching, which is a key parameter of $TiO_2$ nanotube growth, and the formation of the porous structure. Furthermore, morphological considerations of $TiO_2$ nanotubes according to electrolyte conditions will be explained to the researchers who will study the application of $TiO_2$ nanotubes formed through the anodic oxidation in the future.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2011

$TiO_2$ nanopowders with anatase structure were firstly prepared by controlling the pH value of a precursor solution without any heat-treatment at room temperature. The prepared $TiO_2$ nanopowders were hydrothermally treated in 10M NaOH solution at $170^{\circ}C$. Then, the samples were washed in DI water or 0.1M HCl. The $TiO_2$ nanotubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The gas sensitivity of $TiO_2$ nanotubes for toluene gas was also investigated. The results show that $TiO_2$ nanotubes can be prepared by hydrothermal treatment. The morphology of $TiO_2$ nanotubes prepared by 0.1M HCl washing is destroyed to some extent. $TiO_2$ nanotubes with DI water washing show better sensitivity than that with 0.1M HCl washing.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.305-309
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• 2014

Well-ordered $TiO_2$ nanotubes with Au nanoparticles are a desirable configuration to enhance the gas sensing properties such as response and selectivity due to their high surface area to volume ratio and catalytic effect of Au nanoparticles. We have synthesized the well-ordered $TiO_2$ nanotubes directly on a Pt IDEs patterned $SiO_2/Si$ substrate and then decorated Au nanoparticles on inner and outer surface of $TiO_2$ nanotubes using electrodeposition method. The Au-decorated $TiO_2$ nanotubes shows ultrahigh response to $C2_H_5OH$ and the highest increasing ratio to $H_2$ compared with other gases.