K sub(2)TiO(C sub(2)O sub(4)) sub(2)-mediated synthesis of rutile TiO sub(2) mesocrystals and their ability to assist photodegradation of sulfosalicylic acid in water

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 4; no. 90; pp. 49280 - 49286
• Main Authors: Lai, Lu-Lu, Huang, Li-Liang, Wu, Jin-Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Anatase; Nanowires; Photocatalysis; Rutile; Self assembly; Titanates; Titanium; Titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c4ra09445j

Flower-like rutile TiO sub(2) mesocrystals were fabricated by a K sub(2)TiO(C sub(2)O sub(4 )) sub(2)-mediated Ti-H sub(2)O sub(2) interaction at 80 degree C and under atmospheric pressure. Both thin films precipitated on the metallic Ti substrates and powders collected from the solutions were subjected to detailed characterizations of the nanostructures and photocatalytic performances. The Ti-H sub(2)O sub(2) interaction at 80 degree C resulted in arrays of hydrogen titanate nanowires on Ti substrates and the corresponding nanowires in the solution as well. With the additive of K sub(2)TiO(C sub(2)O sub(4 )) sub(2), flower-like rutile TiO sub(2) mesocrystals appeared viaan oriented attachment self-assembly approach. The hydrogen titanate nanowires decomposed to anatase TiO sub(2) nanowires when heated in air at 450 degree C; whilst the rutile TiO sub(2) mesocrystals remained unchanged upon the subsequent calcination. The photocatalytic activity of both thin films and powders after the calcination was evaluated by photodegradation of sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) in water under the UV light illumination. It was found that anatase favored the degradation of SSA rather than rutile; however, the larger specific surface area of mesocrystals, as well as the high charge separation rate inherent from their single crystal nature, compensated effectively the photocatalytic performance for the flower-like rutile TiO sub(2) mesocrystals.