Fabrication of novel 3D urchin-like mixed-phase TiO2 for efficient degradation of trimethoprim

Abstract

Herein, we reported a novel sub-micron 3D urchin-like mixed-phase TiO2 with a desirable photocatalytic degradation performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the urchin-like TiO2 is synthesized by a large number of one-dimensional conical monomers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra revealed the formation of the anatase/rutile mixed-phase. Moreover, the 3D Urchin-like mixed-phase TiO2 can effectively photocatalytic degrade 95% trimethoprim within 90 min at a concentration of 15 mg/L, which is superior to commercial 25 nm grade rutile TiO2.