Synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide grown in acetic acid solution

The aim of this thesis project is the synthesis of titanium dioxide layers to obtain the optimum photo-electrochemical properties. Titanium dioxide was synthesized via electrochemical anodization technique from titanium grade II substrates. Titanium samples were anodize din anhydrous acetic acid solution with small addition of fluoride ions at different voltages and anodic oxidation duration. An investigation was carried out on the effect of thermal treatment parameters, namely temperature and time, on the anodized samples in order to optimize the photocurrent response. The photocurrent of all samples was measured, and a thorough investigation on the effect of parameters was carried out on 11 samples. The characterization of the samples was done by means of X-ray diffraction in order to assess the phase composition in term of anatase to rutile ratio, and scanning electron microscopy to assess morphology and estimate the thickness. Anodization and thermal treatment have been optimized to find the higher photocurrents.