Hierarchical N-doped TiO2 hollow microspheres consisting of nanothorns with exposed anatase {101} facets

Abstract

A green solvothermal synthesis approach employing water as a hollowing controller and diethylenetriamine as both crystal growth stabilizer and N dopant source to the preparation of hierarchical N-doped TiO2 hollow microspheres comprised of nanothorns with exposed anatase {101} facets is established. The superstructured TiO2 shows excellent photocatalytic activities in degrading dyes under visible light irradiation. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.