Synthesis of hollow anatase spheres with enhanced optical performance

Abstract

Efficient photoactive, innocuous and stable semiconductors are promising for the utilization of solar energy, and thus the research and development of these materials have attracted an extraordinary amount of interest in recent years. In this paper, for the first time, we report hollow anatase spheres with special enhanced absorption properties in the visible and near infrared region, made using a facile templated hydrothermal process. The phase and morphology of the titanium dioxide can be controlled by potassium persulfate, which acts as an oxidant and chelant. Experimental and theoretical results revealed that the oxygen vacancy was one of the main factors contributing to the enhanced absorption in the visible and near infrared region. The hollow anatase spheres show superhydrophilic features, excellent photocatalytic degradation of malachite green and a marked lethal effect on corrosive bacteria, suggesting their potential as a high performance photofunctional material for antifouling and water treatment.