Abstract: TiO2 nanotube arrays were prepared in situ on aluminum substrate via hydrothermal reaction, using ammonium hexafluorotitanate as treatment solution and anodic aluminum oxide attached to aluminum substrate as template. Field emission scanning electron microscopy andX-raydiffraction were carried out to characterize the as-synthesized product. The experimental results show that TiO2 nanotube arrays obtained through hydrothermal synthesis exhibit an especial morphology. The surface of the TiO2 nanotube arrays has continuous porous structure, while the cross-section has discrete and unattached tubular structure constituted of densely packed titania nanoparticles with an average particle size of 45 and 25 nm, respectively. Without any further heat treatment, anatase phase crystalline structure of the as-prepared nanotube arrays using this method has already occurred.

Key words: titania, nanotube array, aluminum substrate, anodic aluminum oxide template, hydrothermal synthesis