Fabrication of CdSe Nanoparticles Sensitized Long TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for Photocatalytic Degradation of Anthracene-9-carbonxylic Acid under Green Monochromatic Light

Abstract

CdSe nanoparticles with well dispersion were decorated on inner and outer surfaces of 4 μm long TiO2 nanotubes through a simple direct current electrotechnique, resulting in a composite functional material with a perfect construction. The applied depositing voltage plays a determinative role during the CdSe nanoparticles formation process, getting through the breakdown potential of TiO2 and providing intense active sites for the CdSe crystal growth on the TiO2 nanotubes. The CdSe/TiO2 composite nanotube arrays exhibit high absorption in the visible light region due to the narrow band gap of CdSe, and depict sensitive photoelectrochemical response under visible light illumination. Photocatalytic degradation of anthracene-9-carbonxylic acid (ACA), one of the derivants of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), was successfully achieved on CdSe/TiO2 nanotubes when exposed to the 550 nm green monochromatic light.