Design of TiO2 nanomaterials for the photodegradation of formic acid – Adsorption isotherms and kinetics study

• TiO2 with different design was prepared using the hydrothermal method.
• HTNT-400 and HTNW-700 possess far superior photocatalytic activities than P25.
• TiO2 morphology, texture and structure affect the photocatalytic activity.
• The enhanced activity is attributed to the smaller crystallite size of anatase.
• The HCOO− and HCOOH coexistence is favourable for better photocatalytic activity.

1D-TiO2 nanomaterials (nanotubes, nanorods, nanoplates, nanospheres and nanoparticles) with tuned structural and textural properties have been evaluated in the photocatalytic degradation of formic acid (FA) under UV conditions. The FA adsorption isotherms follow the model of Langmuir and the kinetic of FA photodegradation shows Langmuir–Hinshelwood model whatever the TiO2 morphologies. TiO2 nanotubes (HTNT-400), nanoplates (HTNW-700) and nanoparticles (HTNT-500 and HTNT-600) show an interesting photocatalytic activities compared to TiO2 nanospheres (P25) and nanorods (TNR). The nanotubular TiO2 (HTNT-400) has a photocatalytic activity 4 times higher than TiO2 P25. The enhanced activity is attributed to the smaller crystallite size of anatase and tuned surface area of the photocatalyst. The pH study showed that the coexistence of HCOO− and HCOOH species at natural pH (ca. 3.5) is favourable for better adsorption on active sites of titanium oxide nanomaterials and consequently to a better photocatalytic activity.

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