Hydrothermally synthesized highly dispersed Na2Ti3O7 nanotubes and their photocatalytic degradation and H-2 evolution activity under UV and simulated solar light irradiation

Abstract

Photocatalytic water splitting technologies are currently being considered for alternative energy sources. However, the strong demand for a high H-2 production rate will present conflicting requirements of excellent photoactivity and low-cost photocatalysts. The first alternative may be abundant nanostructured titanate-related materials as a photocatalyst. Here, we report highly dispersed Na2Ti3O7 nanotubes synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and the water splitting under UV-visible light irradiation. Compared with commercial TiO2, the nanostructured Na2Ti3O7 demonstrated excellent photodegradation and water splitting performance, thus addressing the need for low-cost photocatalysts. The as-synthesized Na2Ti3O7 nanotubes exhibited desirable photodegradation, and rate of H-2 production was 1,755 mu mol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) and 1,130 mu mol center dot g(-1)center dot h(-1) under UV and simulated solar light irradiation, respectively; the resulting as-synthesized Na2Ti3O7 nanotubes are active in UV light than that of visible light response.