Preparation and photocatalytic activities of Sb2S3/TiO2 nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays via an ion exchange adsorption method

A novel photocatalyst, which is composed of the Sb2S3/TiO2 nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays, was synthesized by combining an anodization method with an ion exchange adsorption method. Resultant products were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Results indicate that the Sb2S3 thin film layer can be well deposited on inside surface of the TiO2 nanotubes to form the coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays and there is an obvious absorption band peaked at 650 nm with a deposition of the Sb2S3 film layer. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of the Sb2S3/TiO2 nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays were also evaluated to exhibit a photodegradation for the methyl orange aqueous solution under UV-visible irradiation, which is mainly attributed to a formation of the Sb2S3/TiO2 nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.