Effects of calcination temperature on microstructures and photocatalytic activity of titanate nanotube films prepared by an EPD method.

Titanate nanotube films are fabricated on F-doped SnO(2)-coated glass substrates via an electrophoretic deposition method using hydrothermally prepared titanate nanotubes as precursors. The effects of calcination temperature on the microstructures and photoactivity of as-prepared titanate nanotube films are investigated and discussed. The results indicate that the intercalated sodium ions (Na(+)) in the as-prepared titanate nanotubes are easily removed during the electrophoretic deposition. The phase transformation of titanate to anatase and diffusion of Na(+) ions from glass substrates into films occur at 400 °C. With increasing calcination temperature, the crystallization of anatase enhances and sodium content in the films increases. At 500 °C, the tubular structure still holds and the films show the highest photocatalytic activity probably due to their good crystallization, large specific surface areas and tubular structures.