{001} Facets of anatase TiO2 show high photocatalytic selectivity

{001} Facets of anatase TiO2 show excellent photocatalytic selectivity which is confirmed by photo-degradation of azo dye molecules. A novel adsorption and degradation competition between dyes on the {001} facets of TiO2 is found. The TiO2 nanosheets with a large percentage of exposed {001} facets show preferential adsorption and photo-degradation of methylene blue than methyl orange and rhodamine B. Instead of charged chemical group adsorption on the surface, the reactive oxygen atoms and separation of photo-induced holes on {001} facets are consider to be key factors for the high photocatalytic selectivity.

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► {001} Facets of anatase TiO2 show excellent photocatalytic selectivity.
► An adsorption and degradation competition on {001} facets of TiO2 is found.
► The reactive oxygen atoms are considered to be a key factor for the selectivity.
► Separation of photo-induced holes is another key factor for the selectivity.