Novel simple method for preparing tailored polymer-titania nanotubes hybrid materials

• Novel one-step method for preparing hybrid polymer-TNT arrays.
• Controlled TNT opening by fine tuning anodization current and time.
• Tailored materials with completely open or close-ended TNT.
• Flexible materials with great potential for photonic flow-through membranes.

A novel method for preparing hybrid polymer-titania nanotube (TNT) arrays with promising optical, catalytic and filtration applications is reported. The procedure is based on a one-step rapid galvanostatic anodization followed by the transfer of the TNT arrays to a polymer support by applying heat and pressure. The fraction of open-ended tubes can be controlled by changing the intensity of the current at the end of the anodization step. For example, completely open-ended or close-ended TNT arrays can be obtained by applying high or low current intensity, respectively at the end of the anodization process. The reported procedure allows the one-step simple and rapid preparation of flexible hybrid polymer-TNT materials which have great potential for photonic flow-through membranes.

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