Vanadia directed synthesis of anatase TiO2 truncated bipyramids with preferential exposure of the reactive {001} facet

Abstract

Anatase TiO₂ truncated bipyramids that dominantly exposed the reactive {001} facet were hydrothermally synthesized using vanadia as the structure-directing agent. The exposed fraction of the {001} facet approached 53% upon adjusting the V/Ti molar ratio of the synthetic solution. Mechanistic investigation, together with control experiments, verified that vanadia stabilized the {001} facet and induced the construction of the truncated bipyramids. After calcination at 723 K in air, the resulting VO_x/TiO₂ truncated bipyramids effectively catalyzed the selective reduction of NO by ammonia.