Self-assembly of Pt nanocrystals/one-dimensional titanate nanobelts heterojunctions and their great enhancement of photocatalytic activities

Abstract

In the present work, novel layered-structure titanate (H₂Ti₅O₁₁·3H₂O) nanobelts are synthesized by a hydrothermal method and then Pt nanocrystals/titanate nanobelts heterojunctions with high yield, well dispersion and tight interaction are self-assembled via the linker molecule of thioglycolic acid. Their photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange solution is enhanced by increasing the Pt precursor's content ratio. The degradation ratio of the heterojunctions with 11.0 wt% Pt nanocrystals will increase to 100% and 68.2% from 62% and 5% for pure titanate nanobelts after 300 min irradiation under UV and visible light irradiation, respectively. These are better when compared with similar reports, as the heterojunctions will suppress the recombination of electron-hole pairs in titanate nanobelts, where the Pt particles act as electron traps aiding electron-hole separation.