One-dimensional TiO2 nanostructures with improved UV-blocking properties

To investigate an interaction between one-dimensional nanostructures and UV light, we prepared one-dimensional TiO2 nanowires (TiO2-NWs) and nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) as a high-efficiency UV protector. The TiO2-NWs with rutile phase showed ∼8.6 nm of diameter and ∼127.6 nm of length. The TiO2-NTs with anatase phase exhibited ∼6.5 nm diameter and ∼100 nm length. The specific surface areas of the TiO2-NWs and TiO2-NTs are ∼34.0 and ∼464.8 m2 g−1, respectively. In particular, the TiO2-NTs exhibited fairly uniform pore size of ∼5.3 nm. The optical characteristics such as UV-scattering and absorbing were compared by UV–vis spectrometry in the range of UVB and UVA. The TiO2-NWs and TiO2-NTs exhibited much improved absorbance in UVB and UVA region as compared to commercial TiO2. Furthermore, the TiO2-NTs exhibited much increased reflectance in UVA region.

► We demonstrate an interaction between one-dimensional nanostructures and UV light.
► TiO2-NWs and TiO2-NTs exhibited much improved absorbance in UVB and UVA.
► TiO2-NTs exhibited much increased reflectance in UVA region.