Synthesis of Pt-entrapped titanate nanotubes

In this study, Pt-entrapped titanate nanotubes with approximately 10 to 15 nm in outer diameter and 5 nm in inner diameter and several hundreds in length were synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment of titanium oxide as a source material and a subsequent heat-treatment of the mixture of these titanate nanotube and a Pt salt. According to TEM observations, Pt nanocrystals with a few nm in diameter and 5 to 10 nm in length were contained in titanate nanotubes. These Pt nanocrystal-entrapped titanate nanotubes had the high photocatalytic properties, which are. also expected to be a useful material for nanotechnology applications.