Preparation of electrospun Ag/TiO2 nanotubes with enhanced photocatalytic activity based on water/oil phase separation

Ag/TiO2 composite nanotubes were prepared by electrospinning based on water/oil phase separation effect, their photocatalytic abilities were evaluated under the UV visible light irradiation. Comparing with bare TiO2 nanofibers, Ag/TiO2 nanotubes exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activities in the decomposition of Rhodarnine B (RhB) solution. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 nanotubes stems from the improved separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs induced by Ag and the high dyes absorption ability of Ag/TiO2 nanotubes; the high specific surface areas of Ag/TiO2 nanotubes with large amounts of active sites, speeding the photocatalytic activity up; the short diffusion path of photo-generated carriers caused by thin thickness of Ag/TiO2 nanotubes. The strategy, fabrication electrospun Ag/TiO2 hybrid nanotubes based on water/oil phase separation effect, is a one step, simple and versatile method, which can be easily expanded to the fabrication of other materials for photocatalysis, water splitting and energy conversion.