Highly efficient TiO₂ nanotubes for photocatalytic degradation reactions through optimization of textural properties

A series of titanium dioxide nanotubes were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. By varying the preparation conditions, nanotubes with different morphologies or textural properties were produced. Various characterization techniques were used to clarify the various features of the as-prepared nanotubes. Samples with surface areas ranging between 200 and 230 m²/g in specific surface area exhibit the maximum photocatalytic activity in the degradation of formic acid. Detailed analysis of the structural characteristics emphasizes the complex role played by surface structural defects in the tuning of their photocatalytic performance helping in this way to achieve optimal activity in photooxidation.