Research progress in TiO_2 nanotube array photocatalysts with high performance

TiO2nanotube is a new kind of structured and functional nanomaterial due to its outstanding properties.Three preparation methods of TiO2 nanotube arrays at present,namely the template,hydrothermal and anodic oxidation methods,were reviewed in this paper.The modification methods for improving the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanotube arrays,including noble metal deposition,metal doping,nonmetal doping and composite semiconductor,and the advance in the application of TiO2 nanotube arrays,such as dye-sensitized solar cells,hydrogen generation from water,photoelectrolysis degradation of organic pollutants and gas sensor were expounded.It was pointed out that the improvement of the preparation process and modification methods of preparing TiO2 nanotube arrays with high performance is the major research direction in the future.