Nanoheterostructures on TiO2 nanobelts achieved by acid hydrothermal method with enhanced photocatalytic and gas sensitive performance

Abstract

Nanoheterostructures of TiO₂ nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanobelts and Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanobelts are prepared by the acid-assisted hydrothermal method followed by an in situ photo-reduction process. The experimental parameters, including acid corrosion time and calcination temperature, are investigated in detail. Compared with TiO₂ nanobelts, the single nanoheterostructure TiO₂ nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanobelts have a better photocatalytic activity. The double nanoheterostructure Ag/TiO₂ nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanobelts can further dramatically enhance photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ nanobelts. The mechanisms for formation of the heterostructure and the enhanced photocatalytic effect of the heterostructure are discussed. The liquid continuous-flow photocatalysis based on TiO₂ nanobelt nanopaper with different heterostructures is carried out, which has an efficient photocatalytic ability. At the same time, the obtained TiO₂ nanobelt heterostructures have a good gas sensitive performance for ethanol.