Self-Organized Anodic TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Functionalized by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Surface functionalization of self-organized TiO2 nanotube (NT) arrays produced by electrochemical anodization is implemented by dextrin-coated iron-oxide nanoparticles leading to a composite semiconductor nanostructure. The morphological and structural properties are studied by electron and atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, and resonance micro-Raman spectroscopies revealing successful deposition of maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3) nanoparticles on the nanotube walls. The nanocomposite surface simultaneously exhibits high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of model pollutants under UV irradiation at relatively low loading levels of the gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and light-independent wetting properties, as the initially superhydrophilic surface is converted to a moderately hydrophilic substrate, while obtaining an additional functionality through the magnetic field response of the iron-oxide component that shows appreciable magnetization anisotropy. Electrochemical impedance investigation including Mott-Schottky analysis attests to a significant improvement of the interfacial electron-transfer kinetics together with a modification of the surface chemistry for the functionalized TiO2 nanotubes, promoting electron-hole separation through the polyhydroxyl dextrin shell that mediates charge transfer between the constituent semiconductor oxides and validating their improved photocatalytic performance. These composite nanotubular materials offer the opportunity of advanced applications, where the unique photoinduced reactivity, the controlled wetting behavior, and the magnetic field response can be effectively combined.