The newly accepted article described the preparation of a flow-through TiO2 nanotube (TiNT) arrays membrane synthesised via an accelerated direct anodization method coupled with electrodeposition and acid dissolution. 

TEM image and Raman spectrum revealed that the as-anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays without annealing treatment were partically crystalline anatase and demonstrated photocatalytic activity in the mineralization of formic acid. The configuration of TiO2 NT array membranes being fastened by the surrounding Ti foil could be conveniently inserted and withdrawn from tailor-made reactors.

The facile fabrication method will eliminate the need to transfer the freestanding membrane onto a solid support to facilitate easier handling. With proper reactor engineering, TiO2 nanotube cartridge configuration can find potential applications in flow-through biofilters and photocatalytic membranes, various photoelectric devices, and nanoreactors.

Read more (AICHE Journal, 2015, doi: 10.1002/aic.15117)

Open-ended TiO2 Nanotube Photocatalytic Arrays through Electrochemical Anodization