Tunable Photocatalytic Selectivity of Hollow TiO2 Microspheres Composed of Anatase Polyhedra with Exposed {001} Facets

Abstract

A fluoride mediated self-transformation method is proposed for the synthesis of hollow TiO₂ microspheres (HTS) composed of anatase polyhedra with exposed ca. 20% {001} facets. Importantly, HTS exhibit tunable photocatalytic selectivity in decomposing azo dyes in water. The fluorinated HTS show preferential decomposition of methyl orange (MO) in comparison to methylene blue (MB). In contrast, the surface-modified HTS by either NaOH washing or calcinations at 600 °C favor decomposition of MB over MO. The surface chemistry and the surface structure at the atomic level are key factors in tuning the adsorption selectivity and, consequently, photocatalytic selectivity of HTS toward azo dyes.