Electrodeposition of silver on CrTiO2 nanotubes and study of their structural, morphological, optical and photocatalytic properties

CrTiO 2 nanotubes were prepared by facile one step anodization of titanium substrate and silver nanoparticles were loaded on prepared nanotubes by electrodeposition. Ag/CrTiO 2 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer methods. The degradation of methylene blue (MB) was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the obtained samples. Results indicated that the degradation of MB was enhanced using Ag/CrTiO 2 samples. Kinetic research showed that photo degradation process followed the first-order reaction; the apparent reaction rate constant of Ag/CrTiO 2 sample was approximately two times higher than that on the bare CrTiO 2 sample. After five successive cycles under 600 min visible light irradiation, Ag/CrTiO 2 remained highly stable photocatalytic activity. The catalysts prepared in this study exhibit industrially relevant interests due to the low cost and good photocatalytic activity.