Nucleation of octahedral titanate crystals using waste anodic electrolyte from the anodization of TiO2 nanotubes

Abstract

This study aims to explore the structure of a yellowish electrolyte by-product that is obtained via the chemical recycling of post Ti-anodized electrolyte containing ethylene glycol and H₂O₂. The yellowish by-product was identified as highly crystalline ammonium oxofluorotitanate, (NH₄)₃TiOF₅. Based on the evidence, it is deduced that the nucleation process is triggered by the use of the strong oxidizing agent, H₂O₂. Indeed, the anodization–nucleation process of the titanate crystals was captured.