Directly assembled quantum dots on one dimension ordered TiO2 nanostructure in aqueous solution for improving photocatalytic activity

Abstract:

One dimension (1D) ordered titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanostructured photocatalysts sensitized by quantum dots (QDs) are fabricated. Their morphologies, crystal structures and photocatalytic properties are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) absorption spectroscopy, respectively. Compared with the original TiO₂ nanostructure, the nanostructured TiO₂ sensitized by QDs exhibits a good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The QDs with core-shell structure can reduce the photocatalytic ability due to the higher potential barrier of carrier transport in ZnS shell layer. The results indicate that the proposed photocatalyst shows promising potential for the application in organic dye degradation.