Predictable and controllable dual-phase interfaces in TiO₂(B)/anatase nanofibers

The TiO₂(B)/anatase dual-phase nanofiber exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity when interfaces form during phase transformation of TiO₂. To precisely control the formation of coherent interfaces between TiO₂(B) and anatase, a thorough knowledge of phase transformation particularly from TiO₂(B) to anatase (TA) is required. In our study, a crystallographic model in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to investigate the phase transformation. The coherent interface with a crystallographic orientation relationship of [001]TB//[100]TA, (200)TB//(002)TA, and (020)TB//(020)TA predicted by the crystallography model was also observed by TEM experimentally. In addition, two types of incoherent interfaces that may deteriorate photocatalytic activity were examined and can be eliminated via an accurate tuning of calcination. The fundamental knowledge acquired from this work, therefore, provides a new insight to synthesize more efficient dual-phase TiO₂ photocatalysts.