Morphology dependence of photocatalytic activity of TiO ₂ nanostructure prepared through microwave hydrothermal process

Five different morphologies selectively synthesized through a microwave hydrothermal route in order to determine the dependence of degradation efficiency on TiO ₂ morphologies. These five morphologies include nanosphere, nanotube, hollow sphere, nanorod and granule-like particle. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Brunauer-Emment-Teller methods were used to characterize the morphologies, crystalline structures, and specific surface area of these nanostructured TiO ₂. Oxidants were used as sacrificial electron acceptor to accelerate the degradation. The degradation mechanism of oxalic acid on the surface of TiO ₂ influenced by oxidants was discussed.