Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of pyrochlore Bi₂Ti₂O₇nanotubes

Bismuth titanate (Bi₂Ti₂O₇) nanotubes were successfully synthesized with an alumina template-based sol-gel technique. As-synthesized nanotubes are smooth and uniform with diameters ranging from 180 to 330 nm and lengths varying from 7 to 12 μm. Extensive characterization of as-prepared samples has been performed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). Photocatalytic studies indicate that as-prepared nanotubes possess higher photocatalytic activity than the corresponding bulk sample prepared without the use of an alumina template.