Homogeneous synthesis of SiO2@TiO2 nanocomposites with controllable shell thickness and their enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Here we report the use of sulfuric acid as a catalyst for the facile and homogeneous synthesis of core-shell SiO(2)@TiO(2) nanocomposites using simple apparatus, under ambient pressure and temperature. The resultant SiO(2)@TiO(2) exhibits an ideal core-shell structure with uniform nanoscale TiO(2) coverage. The shell thickness of SiO(2)@TiO(2) can be conveniently tuned through adjustment of the esterification reaction parameters. Moreover, SiO(2)@TiO(2) shows improved catalytic activity in the photodegradation of methyl orange.