Abstract

Self-standing TiO_2 nanotube arrays were fabricated by potentiostatic anodic oxidation method using pure Ti foil as a working electrode and ethylene glycol solution as electrolytes with small addition of NH_4F and H_2O. The influences of anodization temperature and time on the morphology and formation of TiO_2 nanotube arrays were investigated. The fabricated TiO_2 nanotube arrays were applied as a photoelectrode to dye-sensitized solar cells. Regardless of anodizing temperature and time, the average diameter and wall thickness of TiO_2 nanotube show a similar value, whereas the thickness show a different trend with reaction temperature. The thickness of TiO_2 nanotube arrays anodized at 20°C and 30°C was time-dependent, but on the other hand its at 10°C are independent of anodization time. The conversion efficiency is low, which is due to a morphology breaking of the TiO_2 nanotube arrays in manufacturing process of photoelectrode.

• Keywords: Anodic oxidation;TiO_2 nanotube arrays;Nanotubes;Dye-sensitized solar cells;