Tailoring of {116} faceted single crystalline anatase nanosheet arrays and their improved electrochemical performance

Abstract

{116} faceted single crystalline anatase nanosheet arrays could exhibit excellent electrochemical and photocatalytic performance. In order to optimize the performance, structures of the nanosheet arrays were studied by changing the growth parameters, including growth temperature, initial reactant concentration, precursors, additives, etc. The nanosheet array grown at high temperature and with an additional surfactant (CTAB) possesses a highly preferred {116} orientation and shows an upright diamond structure. The sample exhibits higher reduction capacity and electrochemical reversibility. In the growth of {116} faceted anatase nanosheet arrays, hydrofluoric acid was also found to act as the hydrolysis inhibitor rather than the capping agent. Extra hydrofluoric acid will suppress the degree of the preferred orientation.