Template-Free Synthesis and Photocatalytic Application of Rutile TiO2 Hierarchical Nanostructures

A simple template-free hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize flower-shaped single-crystal rutile TiO2 hierarchical nanostructures without calcination process. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images show that rutile TiO2 nanostructures with diameters of 1-1.5 mu m are composed of nanorods with a wimble shape. The band gap of the as-prepared rutile TiO2 is about 3.02 eV by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum. The photocatalytic performance of the as-obtained samples as catalysts for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation under simulated solar light was greatly enhanced with the assistance of a small amount of H2O2. In the H2O2-containing system, the as-prepared rutile TiO2 photocatalyst was more efficient in the photodegradation of RhB than commercial P25. The stability and recycle of the rutile TiO2/H2O2 system were also investigated.