Preparation and characterization of titanium dioxide nanotube array supported hydrated ruthenium oxide catalyst

Thi Phuong Ly Giang, Thi Nhu Mai Tran and Xuan Tuan Le

Abstract

This work aimed at preparing and characterizing TiO₂ nanotube supported hydrated ruthenium oxide catalysts. First of all, we succeeded in preparing TiO₂ nanotube arrays by electrochemical anodization of titanium metal at 20 V for 8 h in a 1M H₃PO₄+0.5 wt% HF solution as evidenced from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results. The hydrated ruthenium oxide was then deposited onto TiO₂ nanotubes by consecutive exchange of protons by Ru³⁺ ions, followed by formation of hydrated oxide during the alkali treatment. Further XPS measurements showed that the modified samples contain not only hydrated ruthenium oxide but also hydrated ruthenium species Ru(III)-OH