Cellulose-inspired synthesis of hierarchically nanostructured TiO2 with high photocatalytic activity.

Fig. 2. FESEM profiles of hierarchically nanostructured TiO 2 grown at 140 °C with different MCC concentration (a) sample 1 (b) sample 2 (c) and (d) sample 3. • The TiO 2 materials were fabricated through a simple hydrothermal process. • The TiO 2 materials have highly visible-light photocatalytic activity. • The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the hierarchical structures. Efficient TiO 2 photocatalysts with hierarchical structures are fabricated using cellulose as the template through hydrothermal process. The structure, surface morphology, mesoporous characteristics, and the high photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples are studied. The TiO 2 photocatalysts are hierarchical shape, anatase phase, and higher specific surface area with small pore size. The photocatalytic activities of the hierarchically structured TiO 2 materials are evaluated by degradating methylene blue (MB) under light irradiation. The synthesized TiO 2 materials exhibited slightly higher photocatalytic activities than commercial photocatalyst Degussa P25. In addition, no obvious activity of the hierarchically structured TiO 2 is decreased after 3 cycles. The high photocatalytic activity is attributed to higher surface area and the unique structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]