In-Situ Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Dots and TiO2 Nanocomposites Anchored on TiO2 Nanotube Arrays

Abstract

A modified anodic oxidation method was used to prepare amorphous titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TiO2NTs) on Ti foil firstly. Then TiO2NTs were decorated with nanocomposites of CDs-TiO2 through designed one-step solvothermal techniques in-situ, accompanying with crystallization of TiO2NTs. The crystallinity of TiO2, morphologies and ingredients of the hybrid nanocomposites could be controlled by solvothermal conditions. It was found solvothermal procedure could play a similar role on the TiO2 crystal formation like the common anneal treatments. Furthermore, there were more Ti-C bonds found in the composites derived from amorphous TiO2NTs undergone a solvothermal process. The measurements of photo-degradation on both methyl blue and rhodamine B showed an excellent photocatalytic activity for CDs-TiO2 decorated TiO2NTs (CDs-TiO2-TiO2NTs) under no matter ultraviolet or visible light irradiation.