Synthesis of porous and trigonal TiO2 nanoflake, its high activity for sonocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B and kinetic analysis

Porous and trigonal TiO(2) nanoflakes (p-TiO(2)) have been synthesized via a simple hydrothermal calcination process, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis absorption/reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis). The X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-prepared samples show that p-TiO(2) has an anatase structure. Transmission electron microscopy images indicate that p-TiO(2) consists of sheet-like particles with numerous pores about 100nm in diameter. Ultraviolet-visible reflection spectroscopy exhibits that the absorption edge acquires a blue shift with increased calcination temperature. The effects of the calcination temperature, catalyst dosage, and initial rhodamine B (RhB) concentration on the sonocatalytic activity for removing RhB are investigated in detail. The results show that the as-prepared p-TiO(2) obtained at the optimal calcination temperature of 600°C exhibits a higher sonocatalytic activity than commercial P25. Based on the effects of the initial RhB concentration on sonocatalytic activity, the sonocatalytic degradation kinetics of RhB is also investigated.