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Surface carbon layer and visible-light photocatalytic activities of carbon-coated TiO 2 nanotubes synthesized in organic electrolytes

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Abstract

TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) are synthesized by anodization of a titanium foil in organic electrolytes, followed by thermal treatment in O2 at different temperatures. These TiO2 NTs exhibit visible-light photocatalytic activity which strongly depends on the formation of the thin surface carbon layer induced by dissociation of the electrolytes. Microstructural and spectral examinations suggest that the presence of the thin carbon layer and improved TiO2 crystallinity achieved by annealing at a higher temperature conjointly lead to the enhanced photocatalytic activity. Our results disclose that the visible photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NTs can be enhanced by using the appropriate electrolytes and thermal treatment conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, P.R. China

    Y. Y. Zhang, X. L. Wu, L. Z. Liu & T. H. Li

  2. College of Electronic Engineering, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541004, P.R. China

    T. H. Li

  3. Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, P.R. China

    Paul K. Chu

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  1. Y. Y. Zhang
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  2. X. L. Wu
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  3. L. Z. Liu
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Correspondence to X. L. Wu.

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Zhang, Y.Y., Wu, X.L., Liu, L.Z. et al. Surface carbon layer and visible-light photocatalytic activities of carbon-coated TiO 2 nanotubes synthesized in organic electrolytes. Appl. Phys. A 105, 703–707 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-011-6606-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-011-6606-7

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