Ag loaded flower-like BaTiO3 nanotube arrays: Fabrication and enhanced photocatalytic property

Flower-like BaTiO3 nanotube arrays (NTAs) were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method using TiO2 NTAs as precursors. Ag-loaded BaTiO3 NTAs were formed by a photochemical reduction method. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The results show that Ag nanoparticles can be homogeneously dispersed on the surface of BaTiO3 NTAs. The loaded Ag exists in the form of a metal. The photocatalytic activity of Ag-BaTiO3 NTAs was evaluated from the analysis of the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). It is found that the pH value strongly influences photocatalytic activity of the films, and Ag-BaTiO3 NTAs perform excellent photocatalytic activity at a low pH value. In addition, the effect of concentration of AgNO3 dipping solution on the photocatalytic degradation of MO was also studied.