Unexpected adsorption of oxygen on TiO2 nanotube arrays:: Influence of crystal structure

We present kinetics data of O-2, n/iso-butane, CO2, and CO adsorbed at ultrahigh vacuum conditions on TiO2 nanotube (TiNTs) arrays produced by electrochemical anodization; amorphous and polycrystalline (anatase and mixed anatase/rutile) TiNTs have been studied addressing structure-activity relationships. Oxygen distinctly interacts with the TiNTs, whereas this process is not observed on fully oxidized TiO2 single crystals. Both molecularly and atomically bonded oxygen have been observed. Variations in the binding energies of alkanes were also detected.