Progress on the nanoscale spherical TiO2 photocatalysts: Mechanisms, synthesis and degradation applications

Abstract

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has the advantages of strong photocatalytic activity, non‐toxicity, and low cost, and so on. It has always occupied a dominant position in many photocatalytic materials, especially nanoscale spherical TiO2 has the characteristics of high specific surface area and pore‐volume, and so on. Therefore, Degussa P25, as a typical representative of the nanoscale spherical structure, is currently the only material produced on a large scale. According to the structure, nanoscale spherical TiO2 can be divided into three types: solid, core‐shell, and hollow spheres. However, there is still a lack of the latest review on the synthetic doping and application of nanoscale spherical TiO2. Therefore, we first describe the degradation mechanism of nanoscale spherical TiO2 and summarize the latest progress of its synthesis strategy in this review, including doping and other modification techniques, and finally introduce the application of nanoscale spherical TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of volatile organic compounds, dye wastewater, antibiotics, pesticides, and oily wastewater. Through this review, it is helpful for researchers to further understand the synthesis and application of nanoscale spherical TiO2, hoping to continuously improve the disadvantages and photocatalytic activity of nanoscale spherical TiO2, and promote the widespread application of nanoscale spherical TiO2 on an industrial scale.

Keywords

• applications
• nanoscale spherical TiO2
• photocatalytic degradation
• synthesis