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Abstract_Anca MAZARE
Nanostructuring of valve metals such as Ti, Zr, and Ta enables the fabrication of ordered oxide architectures with tunable geometry, chemistry, and functionality. These nanostructures underpin applications in catalysis, sensing, and biomedicine, yet reproducibility and accurate surface interpretation remain persistent challenges.
This contribution discusses both the opportunities and pitfalls in the anodic growth and modification of valve-metal oxide nanostructures, drawing on extensive work with TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) arrays and spaced TNT architectures [1-4]. Case studies demonstrate how electrolyte composition, intertube spacing, and post-anodization annealing influence morphology, crystallinity, and performance. Particular attention is given to subtle factors such as electrolyte aging, contamination, and misinterpretation in morphological assessment or surface spectroscopic analysis (XPS, ToF-SIMS), which can lead to contradictory results across laboratories.
Recent works provide concrete examples of these aspects: surface modification routes for enhanced bioactivity [3], the role of nanotopography in cell–surface interactions [4], interfacial binding kinetics relevant to oxide functionalization [2], and catalytic synergy in multimetal oxide-supported systems [1]. These examples, from biological interfaces to catalytic surfaces, illustrate the versatility and cross-disciplinary relevance of valve-metal nanostructuring. Collectively, they provide practical guidelines for reliable synthesis and characterization, emphasizing reproducibility and transparency in advanced oxide-based materials research.
References
- K. Pajić, A.S. Dobrota, A. Mazare, S. Đurđić, X. Zhou, N. Denisov, N.V. Skorodumova, D. Manojlović, R. Vasilić, I.A. Pašti, P. Schmuki, U. Lačnjevac, “Polydisperse Pt Deposits over TiO₂-Nanotube-Array-Supported Ru Nanoparticles: Harnessing the Interfacial Synergy for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysis,” Small 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202411870
- Mazare, M.H. Ulubas, H. Kim, I. Fomicheva, G. Sarau, S.H. Christiansen, W.H. Goldmann, A.B. Tesler, “Binding Kinetics of Self-Assembled Monolayers of Fluorinated Phosphate Ester on Metal Oxides for Underwater Aerophilicity,” Langmuir 2025, 41 (3), 1868. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c04320
- Mazare, I. Hwang, A.B. Tesler, “Surface Modification of TiO₂ Nanotubes Towards Enhanced Bioactivity,” Materials Today Communications 2024, 39, 109216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.109216
- Park, A.B. Tesler, E. Gongadze, A. Iglič, P. Schmuki, A. Mazare, “Nanoscale Topography of Anodic TiO₂ Nanostructures Is Crucial for Cell–Surface Interactions,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024, 16 (4), 4430–4438. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c16033