Anatase nano-TiO sub(2) with exposed curved surface for high photocatalytic activity

Anatase nano-TiO sub(2) with exposed highly active curved surface was obtained via a simple hydrothermal route with the assistance of citric acid and HF. In this progress, exposed percentage of curved surface can been directly tuned by controlling the mole ratio of citric acid and HF. Such anatase nano-TiO sub(2) with exposed curved surface shows a unique truncated biconic morphology and has large specific surface area. The nano-TiO sub(2) shows higher photocatalytic activity than that of TiO sub(2) nanosheets with exposed {001} facets which confirms the curved surface have higher activity than {001} facets. The higher photocatalytic activity of curved surface can be ascribed to the fact that some high index facets such as {112} and many crystal edges contained on the curved surface may have higher activity than {001} facets. A synergistic effect between curved and {001} facets is confirmed that nano-TiO sub(2) with a optimal coexposed ratio between curved and {001} facets has higher photocatalytic activity than that of TiO sub(2) with exposed curved or {001} facets. The optimal coexposed ratio is affected by degradation molecules. The present work demonstrates a explore of hydrothermal synthetic method for controlling preparation of nano-materials.