Preparation and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanofibers by a hydrothermal method

Mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanofibers were prepared by a simple hydrothermal post-treatment of titanate nanotubes. The as-prepared samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and N2 adsorption–desorption measurement. The photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous TiO2 nanofibers was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air. The effects of hydrothermal post-treatment time on the structures and photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous TiO2 nanofibers were discussed. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 nanofibers prepared by this method exceeded that of Degussa P25 when the hydrothermal post-treatment time was kept at 200 °C for 3–24 h. This could be attributed to the fact that the former had smaller crystallite size, larger specific surface area, and higher pore volume.