Blue TiO2 Nanotube Array as an Oxidant Generating Novel Anode Material Fabricated by Simple Cathodic Polarization

Great interest in anode materials has dramatically emerged with increasing demand for electrochemically generated oxidants in industrial electrochemistry. For the last five decades, these needs have been mostly achieved by the introduction of two well-known anode materials, the dimensional stable anode (DSA®) and boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Nevertheless, the high cost and complicated process in fabricating these electrodes remains as a big obstacle for further development. Here, we report a novel anode material for the production of oxidants, the dark blue colored TiO2 nanotube array (NTA) (denoted as Blue TiO2 NTA) which has never been successfully achieved with titania-based materials. This titania-based electrocatalyst with irreversible electrochromism and high conductivity was successfully fabricated with simple cathodic polarization of anatase TiO2 NTA and exhibits the excellent electrocatalytic activity in generating chlorine (Cl2) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) which is comparable to the commercial DSA® and BDD electrodes, respectively. Thus, this Blue TiO2 NTA is suggested as a potential cost effective anodic material in industrial electrochemistry. In addition, even in other metal oxides other than titania, the cathodic polarization (accompanied with irreversible electrochromism) method may be applied to explore a new route for low-cost and novel anodic materials.