Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites

Mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites were prepared using TiF4 and H3BO3 as the precursors. The prepared samples were characterized with TEM, SEM, XRD, HRTEM, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in a gas phase and photocatalytic discolorization of methyl orange aqueous solution in an aqueous phase, respectively. The results indicated that the photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites exceeded that of P25 by a factor of about 2.5 times for the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone. This could be attributed to the fact that the former had a larger specific surface area and a higher pore volume. Moreover, the mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites, which could be readily separated after photocatalytic reaction in an aqueous phase, exhibited highly photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange aqueous solution. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.