Low-temperature synthesis of high-ordered anatase TiO(2) nanotube array films coated with exposed {001} nanofacets

High-ordered anatase TiO(2) nanotube array films coated with exposed high-reactive {001} nanofacets were fabricated by a modified hydrothermal method using amorphous anodic TiO(2) nanotube arrays (ATONAs) as starting materials. It was found that the reaction between gas phase HF and solid ATONAs played a key role in the transformation process from amorphous to anatase TiO(2), and the TiO(2) tubular structure kept unchanged during the surface modification with an exposed {001} facets up to 76.5%, which could be attributed to the low reaction temperature of 130 °C. Our study provided a novel route for the facile preparation of {001} facets exposed anatase TiO(2).