Development of a titania nanotube (TNT) loaded site-selectively with Pt nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activities Original Research Article

Site-selective deposition of Pt nanoparticles on a titania nanotube (TNT) was investigated in order to improve the photocatalytic activity of a TNT. TEM images showed that Pt nanoparticles were deposited site-selectively on the inside surface of the TNT by two methods. TNT powder loaded with Pt nanoparticles by UV irradiation under ethanol atmosphere exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity for oxidation of acetaldehyde. When Pt nanoparticles were deposited on only the inside surface of the TNT by UV irradiation, active sites on the TNT were not covered by Pt nanoparticles, resulting in an increase in its photocatalytic activity for oxidation of acetaldehyde.