Preparation and photocatalytic activities of Sb₂S ₃/TiO₂ nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays via an ion exchange adsorption method

A novel photocatalyst, which is composed of the Sb₂S ₃/TiO₂ nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays, was synthesized by combining an anodization method with an ion exchange adsorption method. Resultant products were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Results indicate that the Sb₂S₃ thin film layer can be well deposited on inside surface of the TiO₂ nanotubes to form the coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays and there is an obvious absorption band peaked at 650 nm with a deposition of the Sb₂S₃ film layer. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of the Sb₂S ₃/TiO₂ nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays were also evaluated to exhibit a photodegradation for the methyl orange aqueous solution under UV-visible irradiation, which is mainly attributed to a formation of the Sb₂S₃/TiO₂ nanotube coaxial heterogeneous structure arrays.