In-situ growth of TiO2 phase junction nanorods with Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies to enhance photocatalytic activity

[Display omitted] •TiO2 phase junction nanorods containing Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies were successfully prepared.•Phase junction, Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies constructed a charge-carrier transfer channel for enhancing photocatalytic activity.•The as-prepared TiO2 photocatalyst has superior photocatalytic activity and stability. The titanium dioxide phase junction nanorods with Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies (Ov) were successfully prepared by in-situ growth method and vacuum freeze-drying, which was used for photocatalytic removal of gas phase mercury. Experimental results and characterization data indicate that the phase junction, Ti3+ and Ov synergistically promote photogenerated electron-hole separation and transfer efficiency and photocatalytic activity. The efficiency of the most efficient sample reaches 63.77 %, which is about 3.6 times that of commercial P25. Finally, we proposed the reaction mechanism that the phase junction, Ti3 + and Ov in TiO2 nanorods form an effective charge transport channel. This work provides new ideas for the effective utilization of solar energy and the design of photocatalysts.