Lanthanum‐Doped TiO₂ Nanosheet Film with Highly Reactive {001} Facets and Its Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Abstract Lanthanum‐doped anatase TiO 2 nanosheet films with exposed high‐reactivity {001} facets were synthesized directly on transparent conductive fluorine‐doped tin dioxide (FTO) substrates by a facile one‐pot solvothermal method. The surface morphological structure and crystal facets of the TiO 2 nanosheets could be facilely controlled under appropriate conditions. The photocatalytic activities of the La‐doped TiO 2 nanosheet films were evaluated for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and methylene blue (MB). The results demonstrated that the photocatalytic activities of the La‐doped TiO 2 nanosheet films are higher than those of the pure TiO 2 film; this is ascribed mainly to the synergistic effect of the La doping and the high percentage of exposed {001} facets. A possible mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of MO and MB has also been proposed.