Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic performance of rutile TiO₂ nanowire arrays via a novel hydrothermal process

The single crystal rutile TiO₂ nanowire arrays with flat tetragonal crystallographic plane were successfully synthesized via a novel hydrothermal method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activities of the TiO₂ nanowires were determined by degradation of methyl orange molecules in water under UV-light irradiation. The results indicated that the TiO₂ nanowires were rutile phase. The reaction temperatures, pH values and time did not change the crystal structures, while the morphologies of nanowire arrays changed. The photocatalytic experiments revealed that different synthesis conditions can affect the photocatalytic activity of the sample under UV-light irradiation.