Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 microtubes fabricated via ZnO rods dissolution on stainless-steel meshes

Abstract

In this study, the photocatalytic performance of TiO${}_2$ microtubes synthesized on stainless-steel meshes (SSMs) was investigated with the aim of combining a high surface area with substrate permeability. ZnO rods were first produced on SSMs using a water bath method and then dissolved during a liquid-phase deposition process that simultaneously deposited TiO${}_2$, resulting in TiO${}_2$ microtubes. Photocatalytic activity tests showed that the microtubes annealed at 500–700 °C achieved the highest activity within the 300–900 °C range, comparable to that of the standard TiO${}_2$ photocatalyst (P25), even though the mesh structure allowed only approximately 70% of the incident UV light to reach the sample. When normalized to the actual irradiated area, the TiO${}_2$ microtubes were approximately 1.6 times more active than P25. These findings indicate that TiO${}_2$ microtubes on SSMs are promising for photocatalytic applications requiring both high reactivity and permeability, such as water purification and air cleaning.