Flower-shaped TiO2 clusters for highly efficient photocatalysis

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most widely used semiconductors, with a variety of applications such as water purification, photovoltaic cells, cancer treatment, gas sensors and photocatalysis. Flower-shaped TiO₂ clusters can be obtained on patterned fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates with one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) grating patterns through a two-step process combining laser interference ablation technology with a hydrothermal method. The patterned TiO₂ clusters exhibit enhanced photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and good durability. This work provides a facile route toward the applications of TiO₂ clusters in solar-driven clean energy and environmental technologies.