3D hierarchical flower-like rutile TiO2 nanospheres-based versatile photocatalyst

3D hierarchical flower-like TiO2 nanospheres with rutile phase were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method without further calcination. The morphology, crystalline phase and pore structure of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Raman and nitrogen adsorption–desorption test. The results show that the hierarchical flower-like TiO2 nanospheres are assembled from well-ordered nanorods. It is found that the nanostructure of TiO2 nanospheres varies with the elevation of reaction temperatures, indicating a critical effect on the formation of hierarchical TiO2 nanospheres with a large proportion of (110) facets. The obtained TiO2 nanospheres can be used as photocatalyst, and the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photodegrading a complex dye solution containing rhodamine B and methylene blue. It turned out that the TiO2 photocatalysts prepared at 160 and 190 °C showed the highest photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation.