Facile synthesis of self-sensitized TiO₂ photocatalysts and their higher photocatalytic activity

"Self-sensitized" TiO₂ photocatalysts sensitized by TiO₂ nanocrystals with quantum structures were successfully prepared via a solvothermal process and a facile subsequent treatment process. We calculated an optimized structure by using a pseudopotential Hartree-Fock method and investigated the structure using X-ray diffraction, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The self-sensitized products exhibit an extremely high photocatalytic activity due to their unique optical properties. To discuss the optical properties of the 3-D nanoparticles sensitized by the TiO₂ nanocrystals, we proposed a model of the electron band structure of the as-prepared products to give a reasonable explanation for such a high photocatalytic activity.