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

Abstract This work aimed at preparing and characterizing TiO 2 nanotube supported hydrated ruthenium oxide catalysts. First of all, we succeeded in preparing TiO 2 nanotube arrays by electrochemical anodization of titanium metal at 20 V for 8 h in a 1M H 3 PO 4 +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 TiO 2 nanotubes by consecutive exchange of protons by Ru 3+ 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.