Preparation and photocatalytic activity of the layered titanates

Abstract

Titanate structures were synthesized in highly alkaline solution using hydrothermal procedure. As-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A specific surface area of the powders was measured by BET method. Results confirmed formation of layered trititanates, already after one hour of hydrothermal synthesis. To examine the photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared layered titanates, methylene blue (MB) was employed as a target compound in response to visible light at ambient temperature. It was observed that the specific surface area, size distribution and crystallinity are important factors to get high photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of MB. .