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

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. (paper)