Preparation and characterization of ZnO nanorods grown into aligned TiO2 nanotube array

Nanocomposites of ZnO nanorods and TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated via two steps: (1) Formation of TiO2 nanotube arrays in HF solution by anodization method, (2) Deposition of ZnO nanorods by hydrothermal process with ammonia and Zinc nitrate as inorganic precursors. The morphological characteristics and structures of TiO2 NTs and ZnO/TiO2 NRs/Ts were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The diameter of the TiO2 nanotube was approximately 60-95 nm. The ZnO nanoparticles are deposited on the top of TiO2 nanotube or entered into tube. The anatase crystal of Titania and the hexagonal wurtzite crystal of zinc oxide forms were identified by XRD. The XPS analysis showed that the composite is made up of TiO2 and ZnO.