The shape-specific photocatalytic efficiency of quantum size TiO2 nanoparticles

The hypothesis of increasing electron/hole separation and photocatalytic activity by elongating one dimension size of extremely small nanoparticles was verified. Comparable TiO2 nanorods and nanodots were prepared using very similar hydrolysis processes in oleic acid. The oleic acid coating on the TiO2 surface was removed using UV irradiation. The structure, surface and absorption properties of samples were characterized. Photoluminescence and photocatalytic activity of samples were evaluated semi-quantitatively. The experimental results proved that the nanorods did have more efficient electron/hole separation and higher photocatalytic activity than spherical nanodots.

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► Shape effect on photocatalytic activity was investigated.
► Comparable TiO2 nanorods and nanodots were prepared.
► The size of compared nanoparticles was lower than “optimum particle size”.