One-step synthesis of metal@titania core-shell materials for visible-light photocatalysis and catalytic reduction...

Metal@TiO2 composites with a core-shell structure possess multifunctional properties. The demonstrated protocols for synthesizing such materials involve multiple steps, requiring precise control over the particle uniformity of the core and shell thickness, as well as complex surface modification. A simple approach to synthesizing metal@TiO2 hybrid nanostructures remains a great challenge. Herein, we report on a one-step method for the preparation of metal@TiO2 core-shell nanospheres, which exhibited excellent performance in photocatalytic degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants under visible light irradiation, and in catalytic reduction of nitrophenol in water. The simple method described here represents a sustainable approach to preparing core-shell materials at low cost, involving fewer chemicals, and requiring less energy, which will make a significant contribution toward large-scale synthesis of high-performance hybrid materials for photocatalytic applications.