Preparation and photocatalytic activity of titanate nanorods

Titanate nanorods have been synthesized by means of a simple hydrothermal method, and then calcined at 400, 500, 600 and 800°C for 2h, respectively. The as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and UV-vis spectrum. The photocatalytic activities of the titanate nanorods were tested by the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chloronitrobenzene (4-CNB). Results indicate that the titanate nanorods possess high heat stability with a diameter of about 50-150nm, and have a length up to a few micrometers. Photodegradation results show that the degradation of 4-CNB fit first-order kinetics, titanate nanorods calcined at 500°C exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity, and the apparent rate constant is 0.04215min-1, which is twice more than that of commercial TiO₂ powder.