Electrochemical Lithium Intercalation in Titania Nanowire Arrays for Boosting Photocatalytic Activity

Heterogeneous photocatalysis utilizing TiO2 nanoarrays is one of the most promising advanced oxidation techniques for wastewater treatments. It is still challenging to effectively improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoarrays, especially via a simple method. In this study, trace lithium ions are doped into anatase TiO2 nanowire arrays by using the operating principles of aqueous lithium-ion batteries. The doping process is simple and quite rapid. Even with trace doping amounts, the Li-doped anatase TiO2 shows high photocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation, whose rate constants are 1.8 and 1.6 times that of the pristine anatase TiO2 for the degradation of Rhodamine B and phenol, respectively. It can provide an effective route to design high-performance photocatalysts for environmental purification.

Automated summary

In this study, trace amounts of lithium ions were doped into anatase TiO2 nanowire arrays, resulting in significantly improved photocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation. This simple method provides an effective route for designing high-performance photocatalysts for environmental purification.