Synthesis of titanium dioxide nanotubes by hydrothermal method and investigation of its applications in photocatalytic oxidation processes

In this study, TiO2 nanotubes (TNT) were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment method. The obtained samples were characterized by XRD, TEM ve BET surface area analysis. Effects of temperature, time, washing conditions, calcination temperature and type of starting material on hydrothermal treatment method were investigated. TNT with highest surface area was obtained by hydrothermal treatment at 1500C for 24 h. TNT were calcined in the temperature range of 3000C-6000C during 3 h. Nanotube morphology was destroyed at a temperature higher than 4500C. TNT calcined at 4500C were used in photocatalytic decolorization of Reactive Red 239 (RR239) dye. The effect of initial pH of dye solution, initial dye concentration and amount of photocatalyst on decolorization of RR239 were examined. As initial pH of dye solution and initial dye concentration increased the decolorization rate of RR239 decreased. Decolorization rate of RR239 increased upon increasing amount of photocatalyst.