One-Step Fabrication of Ni/TiO2 Core/Shell Nanorod Arrays in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membranes

Synthesis of Ni/TiO2 core/shell nanorod arrays is carried out using a one-step electrodeposition technique. The TiO2 shell and Ni core are synthesized at the same time. Furthermore, this approach makes the Ni core directly connect with the Ni substrate without a barrier layer, which would benefit electron transport from the Ni core to the substrate. The TiO2 shell thickness can be tuned from about 20 to 90 nm by changing the concentration of TiF4, and the length of the Ni/TiO2 core/shell nanorods can be tuned from about 2 to 60 mu m by changing the deposition potential or time. The NiMO2 core/shell nanorods are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction are used to determine the chemical composition and crystal structure of the Ni/TiO2 core/shell nanorods. The present approach can be used for synthesizing variable metal/TiO2 core/shell nanostructure.