Physico-chemical properties and possible photocatalytic applications of titanate nanotubes synthesized via hydrothermal method

• Published in: The Journal of physics and chemistry of solids Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 263 - 272
• Main Authors: Mozia, Sylwia, Borowiak-Paleń, Ewa, Przepiórski, Jacek, Grzmil, Barbara, Tsumura, Tomoki, Toyoda, Masahiro, Grzechulska-Damszel, Joanna, Morawski, Antoni W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Nanostructures; B. Chemical synthesis; C. Raman spectroscopy; C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); Mathematical models; Nanotubes; Photocatalysis; Reaction time; Titanates; Titanium dioxide; TNT; Transmission electron microscopy; B. Chemical synthesis; C. Raman spectroscopy; A. Nanostructures; C. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); A. nanostructures; B. chemical synthesis; D. thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
• ISSN: 0022-3697; 1879-2553
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2009.12.074

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared from TiO
2 P25 via hydrothermal method. The reaction temperature was 130 or 140
°C and the reaction time was 24 or 48
h. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and N
2 adsorption as well as Raman, FTIR-DRS and UV–vis/DR spectroscopy. The obtained samples exhibited similar properties, regardless of the preparation temperature and time. The most notable difference between properties of TNTs prepared under different conditions was observed in case of BET surface area, which was increasing from 386 to 478
m
2/g along with increasing the reaction time and temperature. Based on TEM, XRD and TG measurements we have suggested that the structure of TNTs was H
2Ti
2O
4(OH)
2. The TEM and Raman spectroscopy measurements showed that the obtained products contained also low amount of anatase phase. The TNTs exhibited no photoactivity towards degradation of model azo dye Acid Red 18. However, TNTs were successfully applied for photocatalytic generation of CH
4 and H
2 in a solution of acetic acid. The amount of methane produced with application of TNTs synthesized at 140
°C was about 2.5 times higher than that generated with use of TiO
2 P25. To the best of our knowledge this is a first report on the photocatalytic generation of hydrocarbons using TNTs in the current state of the art.