Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of TiO2/CeO2 core–shell nanotubes

In this study, TiO2 nanotubes, CeO2 nanotubes, and TiO2/CeO2 core–shell nanotubes were synthesized using a sol–gel method aided by an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The prepared materials were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. Photocatalytic activities of the materials in the degradation of the organic pollutant methyl orange were studied. The results showed that all of the materials were successfully grown into the nanochannels of the AAO templates. In particular, the TiO2/CeO2 core–shell nanotubes could be obtained layer by layer. In comparison with the arrays of pure TiO2 or CeO2 nanotubes, TiO2/CeO2 nanotube array showed higher photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation.