One-step formation and photocatalytic performance of spindle-like TiO2 nanorods synthesized by dealloying amorphous Cu50Ti50 alloy

• A one-step dealloying strategy is developed to fabricate spindle-like TiO2 nanorods.
• The mechanically alloyed Cu50Ti50 amorphous powders were selected as the precursor.
• TiO2 nanorod shells and nanoflower clusters are formed after long-term dealloying.
• TiO2 nanorods exhibit good photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange.

The dealloying process of amorphous Cu50Ti50 powders and the formation of spindle-like rutile TiO2 nanorods have been investigated. The amorphous Cu50Ti50 powders were prepared by a mechanical alloying method. The results show that the rutile TiO2 nanostructures can be facilely obtained through the one-step dealloying of amorphous Cu50Ti50 powders in a concentrated HNO3 solution. The as-dealloyed powders exhibit a “core–shell” structure after the short-term dealloying treatment. Both discrete TiO2 nanorod shells and nanoflower clusters are formed after the long-term dealloying. In addition, the as-obtained TiO2 nanorods exhibit a good photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange.