Improved visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of rutile/titania-nanotube composites prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal process

- The composites including rutile nanoparticles and titania-nanotubes were grown by a facile and green approach based on microwave irradiation.
- The nanocomposites enhance the light-harvesting efficiency in photocatalytic reactions.
- By H2-thermal treatment, the optical absorption of the nanocomposite extended to the visible light region.
- The nanocomposite catalysts exhibit superior photocatalytic activity, nearly 100% of NO conversion with 81.7% of N2 selectivity, have been achieved under natural solar-light irradiation.