Influence of mesopore distribution on photocatalytic behaviors of anatase TiO2 spherical nanostructures

Abstract

Mesoporous anatase TiO2 spheres were synthesized via sol–gel and solvothermal processes using ammonia. The crystallite size was shown to increase with the increasing amount of aqueous ammonia used, leading to a larger pore size. The mesopore volume of the materials reaches up to 0.308cm3g−1. The TiO2 spheres showed improved catalytic activity in organic dye photodegradation owing to their high specific surface area, pore volume, and optimal pore size, which enable an increase of light absorption capability, as well as fast mass transfer by the optimal mesopore structure.