The preparation of palladium-modified TiO2 nanofibers and their photocatalytic performance

Palladium-modified TiO2 nanofibers (Pd/TiO2NFs) were prepared from PdCl2 and titanate nanotubes by a photodecomposition method. The samples were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–Vis spectra. The morphology of the nanotubes was destroyed during the illumination process due to the high activity of titanate nanotubes and the existence of Pd/TiO2 batteries. The photocatalytic activity of the samples for degradation of methyl orange solution was also studied, and high photocatalytic activity was observed. When palladium content was 1.5 wt.%, Pd/TiO2NFs showed the highest activity.