Preparation and Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Nanotubes from a Hydrothermal Method

TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized using TiO2 powder as raw material from a hydrothermal method. It was observed that the sample prepared at 130°C and calcined at 450°C only anatase formed, but the sample calcined at 800°C, both anatase and rutile formed. The obtained TiO2 nanotubes prepared at a hydrothermal temperature of 130°C and calcined at 450°C have a greater surface area of 356.8m2/g. Moreover, the TiO2 nanotubes demonstrate the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue solution effectively by exposing the nanotubes in aqueous solution under visible light.