Deposition of Pt on the stable nanotubular TiO2 and its photocatalytic performance

The stable nanotubular TiO2 prepared by treating hydrogen titanate nanotubes with sol containing titanium is used as support, and platinum nanoparticles are loaded on the support via photodeposition process. The obtained Pt/TiO2 nanotubes are characterized with transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The photocatalytic performance is evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation rates of methyl orange under UV light irradiation. The results show that the nanotubular structure of support is intact during photodeposition and the Pt/TiO2 nanotubes exhibit higher photocatalytic activity.