Fabrication and photocatalytic property of one-dimensional SrTi[O.sub.3]/Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanostructures

One-dimensional SrTi[O.sub.3]/Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanostructures were prepared by the hydrothermal method and investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) measurements. The photocatalytic activities of the prepared samples were evaluated by photodegrading the methylene blue (MB) solution. According to the characterizations, the intermediate product of SrTi[O.sub.3]/titanate nanotubes was presented after hydrothermal processing of the Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanoparticles with the mixed solution of NaOH and Sr[(N[O.sub.3]).sub.2]. The final product of SrTi[O.sub.3]/Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanorods was obtained after calcining the intermediate. As compared to the Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanoparticles, the absorption performance of SrTi[O.sub.3]/titanate nanotubes or SrTi[O.sub.3]/Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanorods was depressed, instead of improving it. The mechanisms of the absorption property changes were discussed. The SrTi[O.sub.3]/Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanorods presented better photocatalytic activity than the Ti[O.sub.2-x][N.sub.x] nanoparticles or nanorods. However, due to overmuch adsorption, the SrTi[O.sub.3]/titanate nanotubes gave ordinary photocatalytic performances.