A novel two-step method to synthesize lotus-leaf-structured TiO2 nanocrystals with good photocatalytic activity

Lotus-leaf-structured TiO2 nanocrystals were prepared by a novel simple two-step method. TiO2 nanocrystals obtained by two-step method exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the as-prepared TiO2 nanocrystal obtained by one-step liquid phase deposition method. Even compared with commercial TiO2 photocatalyst with the smaller average size (~ 7 nm), lotus-leaf-structured TiO2 nanocrystals exhibited better photocatalytic activity. The possible reason for the good photocatalytic activity was also investigated.