Efficient photocatalysis on hierarchically structured TiO2 nanotubes with mesoporous TiO2 filling

In the present manuscript we demonstrate an efficient procedure for the preparation of a hierarchically structured 4.5 mu m long TiO2 nanotube layer filled with Pluronic-templated mesoporous TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of this hierarchically structured TiO2 was compared to plain nanotubes and to classic particle-decorated TiO2 nanotubes through UV-light induced decomposition of a dye, acid orange 7. The hierarchically structured TiO2 nanotubes clearly show higher constant decomposition rate in comparison to the pure TiO2 nanotubes or mesoporous layers. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.