TiO2 nanotubes as recyclable catalyst for efficient photocatalytic degradation of indigo carmine dye

TiO2 nanotubes have been synthesized in a hydrothermal system. The nanotubes were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), FT-Raman spectroscopy and surface charge density by surface area analyzer. These nanocatalysts were applied to photocatalyse indigo carmine dye degradation. Photodegradation ability of TiO2 nanotubes was compared to TiO2 anatase photoactivity. Indigo carmine dye was completely degraded at 60 and 110 min of reaction catalysed by TiO2 nanotubes and TiO2 anatase, respectively. TiO2 nanotubes presented high photodegradation activity at pH 2 and TiO2 anatase at pH 4. TiO2 nanotubes were easily recycled whereas the reuse of TiO2 anatase was not effective. Nanotubes maintained 90% of activity after 10 catalytic cycles and TiO2 anatase presented only 10% of its activity after 10 cycles.