title: A novel route to large-scale and robust free-standing TiO2 nanotube membranes based on N2 gas blowing combined with methanol wetting.
abstract: We present a novel and straightforward approach to fabricate large-scale and robust free-standing TiO(2) nanotube (TNT) membranes. Simply by blowing N(2) gas onto as-anodized TNTs that are wetted with methanol, free-standing TNT membranes are produced. The approach also provides homogeneous and honeycomb-like Ti substrates after the detachment of TNT membranes. Through the second anodization of the honeycomb-like Ti substrates following the N(2) blowing, TNT membranes comprising hexagonally close-packed and regularly ordered TNTs with clear open ends can be achieved. Characterization of the free-standing TNT membranes using Raman spectroscopy and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope reveals that anatase TiO(2) and crystalline graphitic carbon are embedded in the bottom surface of the free-standing TNT membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Yuseong, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ghafar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Seung Hwa
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kum
authors.forename: Yong Nam
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Oh
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Cho