• 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%.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2021.11a
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• pp.172-173
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• 2021

With the development of nano-reinforcement technology and the increasing concern for environmental issues, TiO₂ nanomaterials have received wide attention as an additive besides carbon nanomaterials that can be used to enhance the mechanical properties of cement-based materials. Also, TiO₂-based materials can allow cement-baned materials with photocatalytic capability, providing a potentially effective approach to reduce environmental problems. In this work, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and degradation of methylene blue solution were used as target to assess the effect of TiO₂ nanotubes on the mechanical strength and photocatalytic effect of hardened cement paste at different curing time. According to the strength results, the optimum amount of TiO₂ was identified as 0.5% of the weight of cement. Meanwhile, the TiO₂ nanotubes-reinforced specimen exhibited better photocatalytic effect in the early stage of curing.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most intensively investigated materials in materials science. Mostly, TiO₂ has been used in the form of nanoparticles, but recently new highly ordered TiO₂ nanotubes (U-tube) has been introduced and applied to various applications due to their one-dimensional charge path way. In the present paper, we described the formation process and physical properties of U-tube then, gave examples of applications in sequence. Firstly, in photocatalysis, U-tube was used with Au/Pt co-catalysts and showed enhanced photogenerated H₂ efficiency compared to bare TiO₂. Secondly, photoelectrochemical performance of U-tube was evaluated with different heat-treatment temperatures. As a further application, two different types of electrical cell (Ti-TiO₂-Pt and Ti-TiO₂-Pt_NP) was configurated to observe memristive behavior of U-tube. Both cells behaved as switching electrodes and follow a memristive movement in the high and low resistance state extremely well with high reproducibility.

• 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.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.

• Carbon letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.247-254
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• 2015

To improve photocatalytic efficiency, graphene/Ag/TiO₂ nanotube catalyst was synthesized, and its surface characteristics and photocatalytic activity investigated. For deposition of Ag nanoparticles on the TiO₂ nanotubes, a polymer compound containing CH₃COOAg/poly(L-lactide) was utilized, and the silver particles were precipitated by reducing the silver ions during the annealing process. Graphene deposition on the Ag/TiO₂ nanotubes was achieved using an electrophoretic deposition process. Based on the dye degradation results, it was determined that the photocatalytic efficiency was significantly affected by deposition of silver particles and graphene on the TiO₂ catalyst. Highly efficient destruction of the dye was obtained with the new graphene/Ag/TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst. This may be attributed to a synergistic effect of the graphene and Ag nanoparticles on the TiO₂ nanotubes.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.8-14
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• 2016

We compared the plausible reaction mechanism and quantitative efficiency of highly self-organized TiO₂ nanotube (ntTiO₂) film with TiO₂ powder. Film was fabricated by electrochemical potentiostatic anodization of titanium thin film in an ethylene-glycol electrolyte solution containing 0.3 wt% NH₄F and 2 vol% deionized water. Nanotubes with a pore size of 80-100 nm were formed by anodization at 60 V for 3 h. Humic acid (HA) was degraded through photocatalytic degradation using the ntTiO₂ film. Pseudo first-order rate constants for 0.3 g of ntTiO₂, 0.3 g TiO₂ powder, and 1 g TiO₂ powder were 0.081 min⁻¹, 0.003 min⁻¹, and 0.044 min⁻¹, respectively. HA adsorption on the ntTiO₂ film was minimal while adsorption on the TiO₂ powder was about 20% based on thermogravimetric analysis. Approximately five-fold more normalized OH radicals were generated by the ntTiO₂ film than the TiO₂ powder. These quantitative findings explain why ntTiO₂ film showed superior photocatalytic performance to TiO₂ powder.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2023

Nanosized TiO₂ has been widely investigated in photoelectrochemical or photocatalytic applications due to their intrinsic properties such as suitable band position, high photocorrosion resistance, and surface area. In this study, to achieve the high efficiency in photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance, TiO₂ nanotubular structures were formed by anodization at various temperatures and times. The morphological and crystal structure of the anodized TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the TiO₂ NTs were studied with different lengths and morphologies. From the detailed investigations, the optimum thickness of TiO₂ nanotubes was 3 ㎛. Moreover, we found that the optimum photocatalytic pollutant removal efficiency of TiO₂ nanotubes for photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated solar light was 5.34 ㎛ of tube length.