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Hollow TiO2 nanotubes have been produced by combining electrospinning with a soaking process and controlled calcination method. Silver was successfully coated on the surface of the TiO2 tubes through the immersion burning method. Structure and components of TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 tubes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photocatalysis properties were verified by degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye. From the results, the Ag/TiO2 hollow tubes could degrade methyl orange efficiently under UV light irradiation, showing excellent photocatalytic activity over pure TiO2. The synthesis mechanism of the Ag/TiO2 tubes and the mechanism for silver-enhanced photocatalytic activity have been conjectured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly uniform NiCo2O4@CeO2 core@shell nanotubes with tunable CeO2 shell thicknesses have been successfully synthesized by a multi-step wet chemistry process. The use of NiCo2O4 hollow tubes coupled with CeO2 nanocrystals is the result of consideration from the view points of the components, shape and structure-effects needed for a catalyst. In the following catalytic test of CO oxidation, the as-obtained NiCo2O4@CeO2 core@shell nanocatalysts exhibit obvious component-, shape- and hybrid structure-dependent catalytic performances. Especially, the NiCo2O4@CeO2-2 sample has shown the highest activity, which makes it an ideal “noble metal-free” nanocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuS decorated TiO2 nanofibers were successfully prepared by the combination of electrospinning and hydrothermal processes. The TiO2 nanofibers were prepared via heat treatment of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OBu)4) composite nanofibers which were prepared through sol–gel processing. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) images reveal that the diameters of TiO2 nanofibers are ＜100 nm and that island-like CuS particles attached to the TiO2 nanofibers form the heterostructure. The heterogeneous catalytic properties of the as-prepared samples were evaluated via methyl blue dye decomposition and the samples showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of a simulation of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]