Supersaturation-controlled growth of polyhedra-assembled anatase TiO2 hollow nanospheres

• TiO2 hollow nanospheres assembled with single-crystalline anatase TiO2 nano-polyhedra.
• Supersaturation-controlled growth of TiO2 crystals.
• TiO2 hollow nanospheres exhibiting enhanced photocatalytic activity.

TiO2 hollow nanospheres assembled with single-crystalline anatase polyhedra have been prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The supersaturation is found to significantly affect the crystallization habit of TiO2. Larger polyhedral single crystals are obtained at lower supersaturation, while higher supersaturation results in the formation of hollow nanospheres assembled with anatase polyhedra. The photocatalytic performance of produced TiO2 crystals with various morphologies is tested for the photodecomposition of methylene blue. TiO2 hollow nanospheres with higher surface area exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity.

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