Synthesis, modification, and photo/photoelectrocatalytic degradation applications of TiO2 nanotube arrays: a review

Titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTAs) have attracted much interest due to their unique highly ordered array structure, outstanding properties, and potential applications in photo/photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants, hydrogen production, supercapacitors, dye-sensitized solar cells, sensors, and biomedical devices. It has been fabricated via a facile electrochemical anodic oxidation of Ti substrate in fluoride-containing electrolytes. Combined with our previous work, we comprehensively review the recent progress of TiO2 TNAs on the synthesis processes, forming mechanism, and modification used to improve the photoelectric properties. In addition, this article summarizes some of the recent advances on the photo/photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Besides, other applications and the future development of TiO2 TNAs are also briefly discussed and addressed.