Preparation of extremely smooth and boron-fluorine co-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance

• Highly ordered TNTs are prepared by first using NH4BF4 based electrolyte.
• Ripple-free tube walls are obtained due to the mildness of the BF4–.
• B, F originate from the decomposition of BF4–are co-doped into BF-TNTs.
• BF-TNTs exhibit better PEC and PC performance than those of TNTs.

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays (BF-TNTs) are prepared by anodization method in the unique NH4BF4 based electrolyte. The results show that the tube walls of the BF-TNTs, by first using NH4BF4 based electrolyte, are much smoother than that of TiO2 nanotube arrays (F-TNTs) fabricated with a conventional fluoride containing electrolyte. In the NH4BF4 electrolyte, boron and fluorine elements are simultaneously doped into the obtained BF-TNTs during the anodization process. The BF-TNTs exhibit better photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties and photocatalytic (PC) performance than those of F-TNTs.

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