Improving the visible light photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanotubes upon decoration with Sb₂S₃ microcrystalline

TiO₂ nanotube arrays sensitized with Sb₂S₃ microcrystalline were successfully fabricated by a two-step process of photodeposition method followed by annealing treatment. The structural investigation by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the Sb₂S₃ microparticles grew uniformly on the walls of TiO₂ nanotubes. The amorphous Sb₂S₃ microspheres could be transformed into octahedral microcrystals after annealing treatment. The Sb₂S₃ modification of the TiO₂ nanotube arrays resulted in an increase in visible light adsorption and photocatalytic activities toward degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) dyes under visible light irradiation. - Highlights: • TiO₂ nanotube arrays sensitized with Sb₂S₃ microcrystalline were prepared. • The amorphous Sb₂S₃ microspheres transformed into octahedral microcrystals after the annealing treatment. • The TiO₂ NTs/Sb₂S₃ exhibits excellent visible light photocatalytic activities.