Two-Dimensional Hollow TiO2 Nanoplates with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Two-dimensional anatase TiO2 hollow nanoplates were firstly synthesized through a facile synthesis route by using alpha-Fe2O3 nanoplates as removable templates. Two-dimensional hollow TiO2 nanoplates with different ratios of anatase and rutile phases were obtained by adjusting the calcining temperature. The average diameters were around 600 nm, and the shell thickness was approximately 30 nm. The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 was investigated by decomposing rhodamineB under simulated sunlight. Among the TiO2 samples, the anatase TiO2 hollow nanoplates manifested a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic performances. The excellent catalytic performance can be attributed to the unique structure of the two-dimensional anatase TiO2 hollow nanoplates, including a large surface area and increased dye-photocatalyst contact areas as well as more active sites for photodegradation.