Anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with exposed {001} facets on graphene sheets via molecular grafting for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Owing to their extensive practical applications and fundamental importance, the controllable synthesis of well-faceted anatase TiO2 crystal with high percentage of reactive facets has attracted increasing attention. Here, nano-sized anatase TiO2 sheets mainly dominated by {001} facets had been prepared on graphene sheets by using a facile solvothermal synthetic route. The percentage of {001} facets in TiO2 nanosheets was calculated to be ca. 64%. The morphologies, structural properties, growth procedures and photocatalytic activities of the resultant TiO2/graphene nanocomposites were investigated. In comparison with commercial P25 and pure TiO2 nanosheets, the composite exhibited significant improvement in photocatalytic degradation of the azo dye Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity and stability was attributed to the effective charge anti-recombination of graphene and the high catalytic activity of {001} facets.