A study on partially protonated titanate nanotubes: Enhanced thermal stability and improved photocatalytic activity

Partially protonated titanate nanotubes were prepared via an alkaline hydrothermal process followed by ion-exchange. The protonation level was controlled by varying the amount of HCl. Nanotubes were calcinated within the temperature range of 400–500 °C to investigate the thermal stability of partially protonated titanate nanotubes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) and N2 absorption–desorption experiment were employed to characterize the morphology, composition and specific surface area. In addition, photocatalytic activities were also evaluated by photodegradation of methyl orange under the radiation of UV light. The results revealed that 0.5(Na,H)TNTs450, remaining with 0.668 wt% sodium content, retained a tubular structure against calcination, and owned considerable photocatalytic activity with degradation rate near 80%.