Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activities of titanate nanotubes surface-decorated by zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoscaled zinc oxide (ZnO) particles with different amounts are coated on titanate nanotubes (TNTs) by a facile chemical method at room temperature. The characterizations of XPS, TEM, XRD and UV–vis spectra confirm that pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of about 9 nm are distributed on the surfaces of TNTs evenly and attached strongly. The photocatalytic activities of the ZnO–TNTs nanocomposite are superior to those of P25, ZnO, TNTs and ZnO–anatase TiO 2 (TNP) nanocomposite in the oxidation of rhodamine B under UV light irradiation. A comparison of the photocatalytic activities between different catalysts is discussed. Furthermore, we also find that the ZnO–TNT nanocomposite shows very favorable recycle use potential, because they have a high sedimentation rate and their photocatalytic activity is only slightly decreased even after five times of repeated uses.