Aluminium doping – a cost effective and super-fast method for low temperature crystallization of TiO2 nanotubes

In this paper, low-temperature crystallization of well aligned TiO2 nanotubes within a record time of 20 seconds is reported. This new super-fast crystallization route with a tremendous technological impact due to its low energy budget and reproducibility involves the doping of TiO2 nanotubes with aluminium at different temperatures from 2 °C to 60 °C by applying a negative voltage to amorphous nanotubes. The process offers formation of doped anatase TiO2 nanotubes with a tuned band gap and improved conductivity.