BaTiO3-TiO2 nanotubesproduced by classical hydrothermal methodand their photoelectrochemical properties

Abstract

Nanotubes are of great interest due to their high surface-to-volume ratios and size-dependent properties. Titanium dioxide nanotube array is a well-known nanostructured semiconductor oxide with improved functional photocatalytic and sensing properties. Considering these properties, TiO2 NTs arrays attract wide scientific interest in view of their applications in self-cleaned gas sensors, photo catalytic materials, dye sensitized solar cells, and water photo electrolysis. In this work, TiO2 nanotubes were prepared by anodization of pure titanium sheets and subsequently covered with BaTiO3 using classical hydrothermal method(200 °C during 2 hours). TheTiO2 nanotubes were prepared using 2wt. %NH4F in ethylene glycol and water under constant voltage 40 V for 4 hours. Thereafter, the prepared samples were hydrothermally processed in a solution of 0.004, 0.006,0.008M Ba(HO)2respectively, and preheated distilled water in classical oven. Different techniques of analysis such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopyand Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the obtained layers. The formation of BaTiO3 was confirmed by Raman analysis. SEM image of these layers showed the coverage of TiO2 nanotubes by BaTiO3nano-particles