Solvothermal Synthesis, Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Properties of Flower-Like TiO₂ with Hierarchical Structures

Abstract:

Flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures were synthesized by a solvothermal strategy using tetrabutyl titanate as the titanium source. The obtained flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area analysis, Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results show that the flower-like hierarchical structures are composed of anatase titanium dioxide. TiO₂ nanowires are first formed by the self-assembly of nanocrystals with a diameter of 20 nm, and then several TiO₂ nanowires produce a petal-like structure. Finally, flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures with a diameter of 2 ~ 2.3 μm are assembled by these petal-like structures. The electrochemical properties of the flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures were studied by using these hierarchical structures as the anode material in a lithium-ion battery. The flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures have an initial discharge capacity of 473.9 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g and an initial discharge capacity of 244.4 mAh/g at a current density of 2 A/g in the potential range of 0.01~3 V. The photocatalytic properties of the flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures were studied by degrading methyl orange (MO) solution under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. When used as a photocatalyst, the degradation rate of MO is 95.8% after 40 min of UV irradiation, showing that the flower-like TiO₂ hierarchical structures have excellent photocatalytic activity.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volume 71)
• Pages: 121-133
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/JNanoR.71.121
• Online since: January 2022
• Authors: Shang Hua Tan, Gong Qin Yan*, Zhao Jin Luan, Dong Yan Yu, Jun Hua Luo
• Keywords: Electrochemical Property, Flower-Like TiO₂ Hierarchical Structures, Photocatalytic Property, Solvothermal Synthesis

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