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.