Microwave assisted synthesis, modification with platinum and photocatalytical properties of TiO2 nanofibers

Abstract

In the present work formation of active TiO2 nanoparticles in microwave synthesis and their modification with platinum were studied. Anatase nanopowder and 10 M KOH solution were used as raw materials. Microwave assisted synthesis method permited to obtain TiO2 nanofibres and nanowires with a diameter of 10 nm and a specific surface area in the range of 70–150 m2/g. In order to modify TiO2 nanofibers with platinum it was stirred in H2PtCl6 solution under UV irradiation. Photocatalytic activity was determined by degradation of the methylene blue (MB) solution under UV and visible light irradiation. The obtained samples showed higher photocatalytic activity with respect to pure TiO2 nanofibers. The doped TiO2 nanofibers were appropriate for degradation of harmful organic compounds as well as for hydrogen production by water splitting.