Rediscovering selectively etched single-walled TiO2 nanotubes: a review to reignite interest

Since the emergence of anodic TiO2 nanotubes in the early 1980s, extensive efforts have been devoted to understanding their structure, formation mechanisms, and applications, particularly the widely investigated double-walled structures, which have found utility across various photoelectrochemical a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yilan Zeng, Martin Motola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Journal Advances
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666821125000493
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Summary:Since the emergence of anodic TiO2 nanotubes in the early 1980s, extensive efforts have been devoted to understanding their structure, formation mechanisms, and applications, particularly the widely investigated double-walled structures, which have found utility across various photoelectrochemical and catalytic domains. However, a specific derivative known as selectively etched single-walled TiO2 nanotubes (SE SW-TNTs) remains relatively underexplored, despite their superior inner wall accessibility, unique morphology, and photoelectrochemical capabilities. These properties make SE SW-TNTs highly promising for applications in photocatalysis, energy conversion and electrochemical devices. This review aims to revisit the significance of SE SW-TNTs, outlining the strategies for their preparation, comparing their physicochemical features with double-walled counterparts, and critically discussing the progress and limitations of their functional implementation. By compiling and analysing recent advances, we hope to shed light on this overlooked nanostructure and provide guidance for future development in this field.
ISSN:2666-8211