Formation of quasi-spherical Au48-198 clusters in anodic titania nanotubes grown on Ti-Au alloys

The effect of alloying sputter-deposited Ti with 2 at.% of Au on the growth of anodic nanotubes was studied in monoethylene glycol electrolyte containing 1.0 mol dm−3 of water and 0.1 mol dm−3 of ammonium fluoride. The classic shape of nanotubes modified with quasi-spherical clusters of Au48-198 was obtained on Ti-Au (2 at.%). The results were compared to the formation of a barrier-type anodic film which suggested that gold located at the alloy/anodic film interface is enriched as a consequence of the preferential oxidation of titanium during the prior anodizing period and transported to the cell boundary region of the nanotubular film in the form of quasi-spherical clusters of Au48-198. A consequence of the inclusion of Au48-198 in the structure of the nanotubes was a reduction in the rate of nanotubular film growth due to the generation of oxygen catalysed on the clusters. A further increase in gold content up to 8 at.% in the alloy resulted in the formation of sponge-like or nanoporous anodic layers, with the structure depending on electrolyte composition.