Photo-induced properties of anodic oxide on Ti–Pd alloy prepared in acetic acid electrolyte

Photo-induced properties of titanium dioxide on Ti–Pd alloy, prepared by anodic oxidation in acetic acid electrolytes have been studied and compared with those of the oxide on pure Ti. The photocatalytic activity of the anodic oxide on Ti–Pd was superior to that of the anodic oxide on Ti, and the highest photocatalytic activities were found for the anodic oxide prepared in electrolytes with 1 M or 2 M acetic acid. This superiority was attributed to PdO incorporation into the anodic oxide, which facilitates charge separation. Both photocatalytic activity and hydrophilicity of the anodic oxide varied with the acetic acid concentration in the electrolyte, and were related to the surface morphology of the anodic oxides, which is controlled by the electrochemical reaction. It is concluded that photo-induced properties are imparted to the corrosion-resistant Ti–Pd alloy by anodic oxidation in acetic acid aqueous solutions. [Display omitted] •Anodic oxide on Ti–Pd exhibits superior photocatalytic activity to that on Ti.•Photoactivity and hydrophilicity were varied with the electrolyte composition.•High activity is ascribed to an incorporated PdO retarding charge recombination.•Electrolyte composition controls surface morphology of the oxides.