High-yield, additive-free and tailored synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanocrystals: Exposed {001} facets and enhanced visible photocatalytic activities

• Hydrothermal method is a potential technique for the fabrication of the TONs.
• The photocatalytic activities of the products on the removal of MO were evaluated.
• The TONs show the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.

Uniform and monodispersed TiO2 nanocrystals (TONs) were synthesized via a novel and direct hydrothermal method, using controlled hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (TBOT) in a mixed solution of ethanol and acetic acid (HAc) without adding any capping or toxic template reagents. The physical and chemical properties of TONs were studied by FESEM, XRD, HRTEM, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the TONs was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The experimental results showed that the TONs exhibited a much better photocatalytic activity than that of PT (pure TiO2) and P25 (commercial TiO2).

Large-scale and highly-dispersive TiO2 nanocrystals (TONs) with exposed {001} facets were fabricated via a simple hydrothermal method, in which controlled tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) hydrolysis in an acetic acid–ethanol solution occurred without adding any capping or toxic reagents and exhibited much higher visible photocatalytic activity than that of PT and P25.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide