Characterisation and photocatalytic activity of structure-controlled spherical granules of an anatase/hydroxyapatite composite

Materials that can purify the environments are desirable. Anatase (TiO2) has received attention because it is stable and can decompose organic substances because of its photocatalytic activity. To make use of anatase effectively, we deposited nano-sized anatase particles on porous hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics composed of rod-shaped particles. Spherical porous HA granules composed of rod-shaped HA particles were prepared using a hydrothermal process. The granules were soaked in a solution containing a water-soluble titanium complex and then hydrothermally treated. Nano-sized anatase particles were deposited on each rod-shaped HA particle. The anatase/HA granules composed of rod-shaped HA particles showed higher photocatalytic activity than those composed of globular HA particles. The granules are expected to be useful as an environment-purifying material with high manageability and photocatalytic activity.

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► Spherical porous granules composed of rod-shaped HA particles were prepared.
► Anatase nanoparticles were deposited on each rod-shaped HA particle.
► The anatase/HA granules showed higher photocatalytic activity.
► The unique structural design provided the high photocatalytic activity.