Preparation, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Titania Nanotube Arrays Decorated with Tungsten Trioxide

Titania nanotube arrays decorated with WO3 (WTN) were fabricated by a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique in combination with a pyrolysis process. The products were uniform and the amount of tungsten can be easily adjusted by the deposition time. The resultant hybrid nanotubes arrays were characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD. Results show that titania nanotubes with an internal diameter of the tubes 90∼120 nm, an external diameter 120∼160 nm, wall thickness in the range of 30∼60 nm and a length of 39 μm are grown on titanium substrate by anodizing. The tungsten trioxide is i decorated on the titania nanotubes, which enhances the photocatalytic activity of the WTN, as indicated by the efficient removal of C.I. Sulphur Red 14. The resultant composite films show better photocatalytic activity than the non-decorated nanotube arrays (TN) under visible light illumination