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Additive-Free and Tailored Synthesis of TiO2 Nanocrystals-Assembled Mesoporous Leaveslike Nanosheets with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities

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Abstract

Uniform and monodispersed TiO2 nanocrystals-assembled leaves-like nanosheets (TLNs) have been synthesized via a novel and direct hydrothermal method, i.e. a controlled hydrolysis of tetrabutyltitanate (TBOT) in ethanol without adding any surfactant reagents. The physical and chemical properties of TLNs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and BET surface area measurement. The photoelectrochemical performance of TLNs was characterized through photocurrent and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement. The photocatalytic activity of the TLNs was evaluated by photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) aqueous solution under simulated solar irradiation. The experimental results showed that the TLNs exhibited a much better photocatalytic activity than that of pure TiO2 (PT) and commercial TiO2 (P25).

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (51272147), Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2015JM5208), and the Graduate Innovation Found of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710021, People’s Republic of China

    Hui Liu, Shuang Liu, Liang Cheng, Xiaonan Dong, Yumei Yuan & Zhenfeng Zhu

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  1. Hui Liu
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  2. Shuang Liu
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  3. Liang Cheng
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  4. Xiaonan Dong
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  5. Yumei Yuan
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  6. Zhenfeng Zhu
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Correspondence to Hui Liu.

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Liu, H., Liu, S., Cheng, L. et al. Additive-Free and Tailored Synthesis of TiO2 Nanocrystals-Assembled Mesoporous Leaveslike Nanosheets with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activities. Catal Lett 146, 1529–1534 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-016-1758-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-016-1758-x

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