Crystal splitting and enhanced photocatalytic activities caused by implied dislocations were observed in hierarchical TiO2 nano-architectures prepared by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis in concentrated HCl. Microstructural observation revealed that the nanowires formed by continuous splitting of TiO2 nano-belts, which was caused by a lattice misorientation of about 6°, were generated by an array of dislocations. In addition, the larger amount of dislocations implied in TiO2 nano-architectures induces higher photocatalytic activities under ultra-violet illumination.

Crystal Splitting and Enhanced Photocatalytic Behavior of TiO2 Rutile Nano-Belts Induced by Dislocations. Cha, S.I., Hwang, K.H., Kim, Y.H., Yun, M.J., Seo, S.H., Shin, Y.J., Moon, J.H., Lee, D.Y.: Nanoscale, 2013, 5[2], 753-8