Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Rutile TiO2 Nanosheets

Rutile TiO2 nanosheets were prepared by Sol-Gel method, proton exchange and delamination method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse re- flectance spectroscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL). The transference of photogenerated charge carriers was studied. It is revealed that the rutile TiO2 nanosheets (thickness 5 nm) exhibit in- creased specific surface area (185.7 m 2 /g) and enlarged energy band gap, resulting in enhanced redox ability, when compared with rutile TiO2 samples. In addition, the photogenerated charge carriers are able to transfer to the surface of nanosheets, due to their unique structure enabling photogenerated charge carriers to be effective separation during photocatalytic reactions. Therefore, the rutile TiO2 nanosheets can enhance photocatalytic activity. Forthermore, the rutile TiO2 nanosheets exhibite higher photocatalytic activity than rutile and anatase TiO2 samples on the photocata- lytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol under ultraviolet irradiation.