Study of the Photocatalytic Activity of Anatase TiO2 Nano-Microstructures with Exposed {001} Facets

TiO2 anatase nanoplates, hollow microspheres and microcrystals with exposed {001} crystal facets were fabricated via a solvothermal-hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C for 24 hours using titanium isopropoxide or titanium tetrafluoride as a titanium precursor, ethanol or distilled water as a solvent and lastly hydrofluoric acid as the enhancer for the formation of the TiO2 anatase {001} crystal facets. All samples were calcined at 600 degrees C in order to remove the fluoride atoms adsorbed on the photocatalysts surface. This paper presents the influence of different TiO2 anatase structures in their photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic evaluation of all TiO2 anatase structures with exposed {001} crystal facets was obtained by oxidizing the NO gas to NO2 and NO3- and then calculating their photonic efficiency. Commercial TiO2 photocatalyst P25 by Evonik Degussa was used as a reference. The TiO2 anatase nanoplates were the structure that exhibited the best photocatalytic activity of all TiO2 anatase structures, including the used reference P25 by Evonik Degussa.