Enhanced photocatalysis on TiO2 nanotube arrays modified with molecularly imprinted TiO2 thin film

A molecularly imprinted TiO(2) film was constructed onto the surface of a TiO(2) nanotube (NT) array, getting a novel composite TiO(2) catalyst. Compared with unmodified TiO(2) NT and the non-imprinted film modified TiO(2) NT, the molecularly imprinted film modified TiO(2) NT not only exhibits a much higher adsorption capacity for the target contaminant but also shows an enhanced photocatalytic activity in degrading the target contaminant. Moreover, the molecularly imprinted inorganic semiconductor film is not degraded during photocatalysis, owing to its stable physicochemical properties which is superior to those of conventional molecularly imprinted organic polymer films.