Ultrasonic-induced nanocomposites with anatase@amorphous TiO2 core–shell structure and their photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Disorder engineering on TiO₂ nanocrystals (NCs) generates a nanocomposite with core–shell structure, which has been proven to achieve higher photocatalytic activity than the original TiO₂ NCs. In this contribution, we engineered disorder layers around hydrothermally synthesized anatase NCs using the method of ultrasonic irradiation, obtaining anatase@amorphous TiO₂ core–shell structure nanocomposites. The proportion of two phases (amorphism/anatase) in the nanocomposites was regulated by controlling the average diameter of the anatase NCs and the properties of the nanocomposites would change accordingly. The structure and photocatalytic activity of each sample were carefully compared to find out the appropriate synthesis conditions to obtain the optimal nanocomposite.