The synthetic parameters for the preparation of nanotubular titanate with highly photocatalytic activity

A detail study for the effects of synthetic parameters, including acid washing concentration, heat treatment, and synthesis temperature, on the photocatalytic degradation performance of hydrothermal method derived titanate nanotubes (TNT) was given. The alteration of microstructures of TNT was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activity of TNT was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of basic dye (basic violet 10, BV10) in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic activity of TNT was found to be closely related to the specific surface area and pore volume of TNT as well as the amount of anatase phase and remnant sodium in TNT. TNT with high dye photodegradation efficiency was found to prepare with synthesis temperature smaller than 170 °C and subsequently washed with 0.01N HCl aqueous solution and calcined at temperatures smaller than 300 °C.