Photocatalytic performance comparison of titania hollow spheres composed of nanoplates with dominant {001} facets and nanoparticles without dominant {001} facets

• Two kinds of titania hollow spheres (THS) were successfully prepared.
• Their photocatalysis for the mineralization of ciprofloxacin was compared.
• THS composed of nanoplates exhibited higher photocatalytic activity.
• The high activity was ascribed to {001} reactive facet exposure and better crystallinity.

Anatase titania hollow spheres (THS) composed of nanoplates with dominant {001} facets and nanoparticles without dominant {001} facets were successfully prepared, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the two kinds of THS were characterized systematically, and their photocatalytic performances for the mineralization of ciprofloxacin, one of PPCPs, were compared in detail. The results showed that the former presented higher photocatalytic performance due to {001} facet exposure and better crystallinity.

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