Dopamine‐Modified Trititanate Nanotubes with UV‐ and Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity: Coordinative Self‐Assembly into a Recyclable Absorber

Abstract

The search for a simple method to bestow trititanate nanotubes with visible‐light activity for applications as solar‐driven photocatalysts remains a challenging task. Here, we report that self‐assembled surface modification by dopamine imparted trititanate nanotubes (TiNT) with stable, recyclable photocatalytic activity under UV and visible‐light illumination. The controlled surface modification shifted the absorption onset into the visible region. These dopamine‐modified trititanate nanotubes are expected to have applications in water treatment and in pollutant degradation.

Dopamine Surface Modification of Trititanate Nanotubes: Proposed In‐Situ Structure Models

“…We have previously proposed that dopamine attached to TiNT via the enediol −OH groups, giving increased absorbance in the visible range of the spectrum, however the exact nature and interaction of dopamine on the surface was not further investigated. As shown in Figure , dopamine itself exhibits no signal between 300 and 800 nm in the UV/Vis.…”

“…The composition of the nanotubes was subsequently identified as trititanate, H 2 Ti 3 O 7 . We recently functionalised the surface of trititanate nanotubes with dopamine, imparting recyclable photocatalytic properties on the nanotubes . Dopamine promoted electron injection and charge separation, adding activity to the system which was lacking with the unmodified nanotubes.…”

SERS of Trititanate Nanotubes: Selective Enhancement of Catechol Compounds

“…The dopamine monomer units exist in a close packed arrangement on the nanotube surface . We have previously shown this system to be photocatalytically active . In this current work we have examined the surface enhanced Raman activity of a series of enediol functionalized TiNT systems.…”

“…We have modified these nanotubes with dopamine, which imbued the nanotubes with photocatalytic properties. This caused the promotion of electron injection and charge separation and added activity to the unmodified system . The modification resulted in a colour change and a shoulder in the UV‐vis spectrum, stemming from the created charge transfer complex.…”

Facile synthesis of anatase titania microspheres by a novel pyrolysis method and their photocatalytic properties

“…Therefore, it is critical to synthesize a good photocatalyst possessing high specific surface areas and well crystalline anatase TiO 2 with relative small crystallite size in order to obtain high photocatalytic activity. Many research works have been devoted to the controlled fabrication of TiO 2 photocatalyst with various morphologies, such as nanowires, nanorod array, nanotubes, core-shell, hollow structures and microspheres [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Among of them, TiO 2 microsphere could be one of the promising photocatalysts due to its high specific surface area, high porosity, and high photocatalytic activity for pollutants [22][23][24].…”