TiO₂ rutile-anatase core-shell nanorod and nanotube arrays for photocatalytic applications

Rutile and anatase mixed TiO₂ is a promising material for photocatalytic applications. In this work, rutile-anatase core-shell nanotube (NT) and nanorod (NR) structures were fabricated directly on a fluorine doped SnO₂ (FTO) glass substrate using a hydrothermal growing/etching and TiCl₄ post-treatment method. A pure rutile phase NT/NR core was coated with a roughened anatase shell. The nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-vis reflectance and transmittance spectra. The photocatalytic capability was measured by investigating the speed of methyl blue degradation UV. The core-shell NT structure showed superior photocatalytic properties due to larger light absorbing areas, higher light trapping capability and enhanced charge separation efficiency.