One-step decoration of TiO2 nanotubes with Fe3O4 nanoparticles: synthesis, and photocatalytic, and magnetic properties

This paper presents an effective hydrothermal route to decorate various types of anodic 1D TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) yielding a magnetically guidable and active photocatalyst. A unique portfolio of TiO2 NTs including single tube, single-walled and double-walled ones was used. Optimal conditions for uniform decoration of these nanotubes by Fe3O4 NPs (two different loadings) using a wet chemical synthesis based on an oleate hydrothermal approach were found. The resulting TiO2NTs@Fe3O4NPs were shown to be superparamagnetic at room temperature, to have a stable connection of NPs to NTs and to have good magnetic response under an external applied magnetic field. The as-prepared materials were used as magnetically guidable photocatalyst for the decomposition of a model dye (methylene blue). Fe3O4 NPs enhanced the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NTs under the visible light. In principle, TiO2NTs@Fe3O4NPs could be used as magnetically-guidable drug delivery system with pho...