Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites

Mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites were prepared using TiF4 and H3BO3 as the precursors. The prepared samples were characterized with TEM, SEM, XRD, HRTEM, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in a gas phase and photocatalytic discolorization of methyl orange aqueous solution in an aqueous phase, respectively. The results indicated that the photocatalytic activity of the mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites exceeded that of P25 by a factor of about 2.5 times for the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone. This could be attributed to the fact that the former had a larger specific surface area and a higher pore volume. Moreover, the mesoporous titania nanorod/titanate nanotube composites, which could be readily separated after photocatalytic reaction in an aqueous phase, exhibited highly photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange aqueous solution.