Effect of the composition of Ti alloy on the photocatalytic activities of Ti-based oxide nanotube arrays prepared by anodic oxidation

•Effect of Ti alloy composition on the properties of TiO2 nanotube arrays is studied.•Al and V decrease the growth rate of nanotube arrays and deteriorate the performance.•Nanotube arrays derived from Ti–0.2Pd alloy exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity.•Nanotube arrays derived from Ti–0.2Pd alloy have preferable stability.•Anodization of Ti alloys provides a way to prepare high-performance doped titania.