Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of sea urchin-shaped rutile TiO2 nanocrystals

Sea urchin-shaped rutile nanostructures (SUR NSs) with abundant {110} surfaces are synthesized at 60 C under atmospheric pressure. The SUR NSs were similar to 420 nm in diameter and contain a number of needle-like rutile single crystals grown parallel to the (110) face from a single nucleus in a radial fashion. The photocatalytic activity of the SUR NSs is significantly higher than that of commercial rutile nanoparticles with the same specific surface area. This demonstrates that {110} facets are effective in enhancing photoactivity. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.