Synthesis of mesoporous core-shell TiO2 microstructures with coexposed {001}/{101} facets: enhanced intrinsic photocatalytic performance.

TiO2 microstructures were synthesized via a facile one-step route for enhanced intrinsic photocatalytic performance. The prepared TiO2 microstructures are featured by both mesoporous core-shell structures and coexposed {001}/{101} facets. Their intrinsic photocatalytic performance were remarkably enhanced due to their high specific surface area, coexposed {001}/{101} facets, and promoted separation of photogenerated carriers. Furthermore, the origin and detailed mechanism for diethylenetriamine (DETA) that served as a high efficient stabilizer of TiO2 {001} facet have been theoretically investigated. Finally, a new DETA-modified Ostwald ripening mechanism was originally proposed when studying the growth mechanism of the mesoporous core-shell TiO2 spherical microstructures with coexposed {001}/{101} facets.