One-step fabrication and high photocatalytic activity of porous TiO 2 hollow aggregates by using a low-temperature hydrothermal method without templates

Zhaoyang Liu*, Darren D. Sun, Peng Guo, James O. Leckie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

221 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Porous TiO2 hollow aggregates have been synthesized on a large scale by means of a simple hydrothermal method without using any templates. The as-prepared products were characterized by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy, XRD, TEM, nitrogen adsorption, UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the aggregates was demonstrated through the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B. Structural characterization indicates that the porous TiO2 aggregates are 500-800 nm in diameter and display mesoporous structure. The average pore sizes and BET surface areas of the aggregates are 12 nm and 168 m2g-1, respectively. Optical adsorption investigations show that the aggregates possess an optical band-gap energy of 3.36 eV. The as-prepared products were substantially more effective photocatalysts than the commercially available photocatalyst P25. The dye degradation rate of the porous TiO2 hollow aggregates is more than twice that of P25. The high photoactivities of the aggregates can be attributed to the combined effects of several factors, namely, large surface areas, the existence of mesopores, and the high band-gap energy. In addition, the asprepared products can be easily recycled.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1851-1855
Number of pages5
JournalChemistry - A European Journal
Volume13
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aggregation
  • Microporous materials
  • Nanostructures
  • Photocatalysis
  • Titanium dioxide

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