Fabrication of multi-sectional TiO2 nanotube arrays by anodization

We report a facile method to grow multi-sectional TiO2 nanotube arrays consisting of alternating bamboo-shaped and smooth-walled nanotube sections by anodization. Two key factors are necessary for obtaining these morphologies. First, in order to avoid possible disruptions between the conjoint sections of the nanotube, the distribution of hydrogen ions is suggested not to be fiercely disturbed when switching from the first to the second stage. Second, to avoid the disruption of the nanotube at the joint which results from the disparity in diameters between sections, the direct current voltage is set to be the maximum of the square wave voltage. These newly developed TiO2 nanotube arrays are expected to have potential applications in solar cells, drug release and delivery systems.