Tailoring the morphology of nanotubular oxide layers on Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn β-phase titanium alloy

Abstract In the present work, the self-organized mixed-oxide nanotubes (NTs) has been obtained on the Ti2448 β-phase alloy by electrochemical anodization process. NTs of 54–93 nm in diameter with different morphology can be obtained by tailoring the chemical composition of solution and anodization parameters. Well-ordered structures with both ribbed and smooth walls were fabricated. The most homogenous NTs were obtained as a result of anodization in ethylene glycol-based solution with 10% of water. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy results indicate that the obtained nanotubular layer mainly consists of the stoichiometric oxides TiO 2 and Nb 2 O 5 and a small amount of ZrO 2 and SnO which are located throughout entire NTs height. The obtained NTs oxide layers exhibits superhydrophilic properties.