An efficient layer-by-layer self-assembly of metal-TiO2 nanoring/nanotube heterostructures, M/T-NRNT (M = Au, Ag, Pt), for versatile catalytic applications.

We have successfully developed a facile two-step anodization combined layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly route for rapid fabrication of well-defined metal-TiO(2) nanoring/nanotube combined nanostructures, i.e. M/T-NRNT (M = Au, Ag, Pt). These hierarchically self-assembled hybrid systems are demonstrated to exhibit versatile photocatalytic and catalytic reduction capabilities.