Anatase TiO2 hollow microspheres with exposed {0 0 1} facets: Facile synthesis and enhanced photocatalysis

Anatase TiO2 hollow microspheres with a high percentage of exposed {0 0 1} facets have been successfully synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal strategy in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and hydrofluoric acid solution. It is found that both HF and H2O2 play an essential role in the formation of TiO2 hollow polyhedron TiO2 microspheres with exposed {0 0 1} facets. A plausible mechanism for formation of the TiO2 hollow spheres with exposed {0 0 1} facets by dissolution–recrystallization and Ostwald ripening is proposed based on the experimental observations. The products exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activities for degradation of methylene blue dye present in aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation at ambient temperature.