Synthesis of 3D hierarchical structure TiO2 and its photocatalytic activity

3D hierarchical structure TiO₂ can be synthesized via a solvothermal method using butyl itanate as precursor and acetic acid as solvent. The microspheres were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscope scanning (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption, the ultraviolet, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis). The photocatalytic degradation performance was evaluated under the condition of methyl orange (MO) simulating wastewater. The results showed that the 3D hierarchical structure was one-step synthesized by the coordination of several surfactants, and as the time of solvent heat increases, morphology, and structure can be regulated from a 3D hierarchical structure to the grain-shaped, and the process of dissolution, recrystallization and orientated growth occurred during the course of reaction, which is different from the previous literature. The morphology of TiO₂ can be regulated and controlled by reaction time. 3D hierarchical structure anatase TiO₂ exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity in the degradation of organic compounds. The unit of hierarchy structure interconnected with each other, forming of various sizes of holes, which increase the specific surface area and are beneficial to the diffusion of the object molecules.