One-step formation and photocatalytic performance of spindle-like TiO2 nanorods synthesized by dealloying amorphous Cu50Ti50 alloy

Abstract The dealloying process of amorphous Cu 50 Ti 50 powders and the formation of spindle-like rutile TiO 2 nanorods have been investigated. The amorphous Cu 50 Ti 50 powders were prepared by a mechanical alloying method. The results show that the rutile TiO 2 nanostructures can be facilely obtained through the one-step dealloying of amorphous Cu 50 Ti 50 powders in a concentrated HNO 3 solution. The as-dealloyed powders exhibit a “core–shell” structure after the short-term dealloying treatment. Both discrete TiO 2 nanorod shells and nanoflower clusters are formed after the long-term dealloying. In addition, the as-obtained TiO 2 nanorods exhibit a good photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange.