AAO-template assisted synthesis and size control of one-dimensional TiO2 nanomaterials

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO)-template method is a synthesis process that AAO film with uniform pores is used as a template for 1-D nanostructure. In this study, we have synthesized well-defined TiO2 nanorods or nanowires using AAO-template method. As for the first method, AAO template was immersed for 1 min in the Ti precursor solution with slightly decompressed atmosphere (Immersion setting, IS). As for the second method, AAO template was put on the filtering flask as a cover plate. Precursor solution was dropped on the AAO template for 1 min with vacuuming from the bottom part of AAO template (Vacuum and drop setting, VDS). With the calcination and HCl treatment to remove AAO, polycrystalline TiO2 anatase nanorods and nanowires were successfully fabricated, just by changing the sample setting, viz., IS and VDS, respectively.