Fabrication and photocatalytic activity of a novel nanostructured TiO2 metal membrane

We have fabricated a self-organized, nanostructured, photocatalytic TiO2 metal membrane that has a large surface area of anatase crystallites by anodization. A nanostructured anodized TiO2 metal membrane was characterized by SEM, XRD, and TEM, and the effects of changes in fabrication parameters, such as fluoride ion (F-) concentration and applied anodic potential, were monitored. The anodized TiO2 membrane – which performed photocatalytic oxidation, enhanced adsorption, and membrane filtration concurrently – showed high photocatalytic activity with regard to the decomposition of organics and membrane permeability, which suggests that the problems that plague conventional photocatalytic treatments and membrane filtration of water and wastewater are mitigated with this advanced environmental material.

Research highlights
► This study focuses on the development of inorganic microfiltration TiO2 membrane.
► Controlled nanotube pore size and growth distribution was observed. TiO2 membrane has self-organized nanostructured photocatalytic TiO2 nanotubes.
► It showed high photocatalytic activity for organics removal.