The synthesis of highly-ordered nanostructures of valve metal oxides has recently attracted huge scientific and technological interest motivated by their possible use in many applications. The two most established members of this group of materials are nanoporous Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ nanotubes [1,2]. While Al₂O₃ membranes have been since than widely used as template material of choice for a range of materials [3-5] due to the flexibility of the pore diameter/length and the relative ease of the Al₂O₃ dissolution, TiO₂ nanotubes received high attention because of their applications in e.g. photocatalysis, water splitting, solar cells and biomedical uses [6].

Bismuth oxide is another interesting material and its nanostructures show an enhanced photoelectrochemical performance [7,8]. However, the formation of bismuth nanostructures, such as bismuth oxide nanopores [7, 8] or bismuth phosphate nanorods [9], by anodization is not well explored by now.

Similar to the formation of nanoporous Al₂O₃, nanostructured Bi₂O₃ can be produced in acidic, F^--free electrolytes [10]. In this presentation, we will demonstrate the anodization of bismuth in various electrolytes towards morphologically very interesting Bi₂O₃ nanostructures with many potential applications.

References

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