One-step formation of TiO₂hollow spheres via a facile microwave-assisted process for photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Mesoporous TiO₂ hollow spherical nanostructures with high surface areas were successfully prepared using a microwave method. The prepared hollow spheres had a size range between 200 and 500 nm. The spheres consisted of numerous smaller TiO₂ nanoparticles with an average diameter of 8 nm. The particles had an essentially mesoporous structure, with a pore size in the range of 2-50 nm. The results confirmed that the synthesised of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles with specific surface area approximately 172.3 m² g^-1. The effect of ultraviolet and visible light irradiation and catalyst dosage on the TiO₂ photocatalytic activity was studied by measuring the degradation rate of methylene blue. The maximum dye degradation performances with low catalyst loading (30 mg) were 99% and 63.4% using the same duration of ultraviolet and visible light irradiation, respectively (120 min).