Pollution control to avail the protection of the environment is one of the key challenges of the current world. TiO₂ based photocatalytic systems has the unique combination of activity, selectivity, stability, environmental benignity, availability and low price to tackle the environmental pollution. These allows TiO₂-based photocatalytic system to be the most promising in environmental research. In this current research, different one dimensional TiO₂ nanostructures are synthesized successfully using hydrothermal method. Spiral wall titanate nanotubes are prepared from the anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles in both conventional and microwave-assisted alkaline hydrothermal approach. TiO₂ nanowire arrays (TiNWA) were prepared on the FTO substrate from the titanium isopropoxide precurso...[ Read more ]

Pollution control to avail the protection of the environment is one of the key challenges of the current world. TiO₂ based photocatalytic systems has the unique combination of activity, selectivity, stability, environmental benignity, availability and low price to tackle the environmental pollution. These allows TiO₂-based photocatalytic system to be the most promising in environmental research. In this current research, different one dimensional TiO₂ nanostructures are synthesized successfully using hydrothermal method. Spiral wall titanate nanotubes are prepared from the anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles in both conventional and microwave-assisted alkaline hydrothermal approach. TiO₂ nanowire arrays (TiNWA) were prepared on the FTO substrate from the titanium isopropoxide precursor by acid hydrothermal process. It is found that with different modified technique it is possible to alter the crystal phase, nanowire length, width and density of the TiNWAs. The produced nanostructures are then directly doped with B⁺, F⁺, P⁺, As⁺ and BF₂⁺ ions by ion implantation method. Different acceleration energies and ion fluxes are used to optimize the implantation parameters to reduce the band gap energies of the multiwalled titanate nanotubes (TiNT). Different transition metals (Ni, Cr, Fe and Mn) are decorated on the outer wall of the multiwalled titanate nanotubes. Transition metals are deposited from the fulminating complex solution of the respective metals. Finally, different novel nonmetal/metal co-functionalized titanate nanotubes are obtained for the first time of its type. The morphology, texture, structure and composition of the novel nanostructures are characterized with different state-of-the-art techniques. The performance of the nanostructured photocatalysts are analyzed in terms of degree of degradation of different chlorophenols in different water matrix and different light irradiation conditions. The active species responsible for various catalysts are identified and the mechanism of generation of those species are also discussed. From the liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry the reaction pathways and the possible intermediates of the photocatalytic oxidation processes are identified.