Preparation and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous anatase TiO 2 nanofibers by a hydrothermal method

Abstract

Mesoporous anatase TiO 2 nanofibers were prepared by a simple hydrothermal post-treatment of titanate nanotubes. The as-prepared samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and N 2 adsorption–desorption measurement. The photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous TiO 2 nanofibers was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air. The effects of hydrothermal post-treatment time on the structures and photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous TiO 2 nanofibers were discussed. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 nanofibers prepared by this method exceeded that of Degussa P25 when the hydrothermal post-treatment time was kept at 200 °C for 3–24 h. This could be attributed to the fact that the former had smaller crystallite size, larger specific surface area, and higher pore volume.