Bioinspired multilevel interconnected networks with porous multiwalled nanotubes built by heterogeneous nanocrystallites

Abstract

Inspired by fiber‐interwoven eggshell membrane (ESM) with associated specific permeability and transport performance, interconnected nanotube networks are constructed to empolder relevant distinctive properties and functional advantages. In this work, a typical ESM‐templated procedure combined with stepwise impregnation and gradient calcination is developed to accomplish the fabrication of multilevel frameworks from TiO2 nanocrystallites to porous multiwalled nanotubes (NTs) to final interconnected networks. During the impregnation process, in situ mineralization occurs on ESM fiber substrate to generate Ti‐impregnant coating with variant composition and layered structure. Followed by the calcination, anatase TiO2 porous NTs come into being as ESM templates decompose at 500°C, then heterogeneous nanocrystallites are achieved at higher temperature. Thus, the final ESM‐morphic nanocomposites present interconnected networks woven by porous multiwalled NTs. Benefiting from interconnected multichannels of multilevel networks and controllable heterogeneous nanocrystallites, the ESM‐inspired TiO2 would behave higher light‐excitation and transport efficiency, which can achieve more valuable applications such as photocatalytic degradation to some organic pollutants.

Bio-Inspired Hierarchical Porous TiO₂ for Photodegradation of Organic Pollutant under Solar Irradiation

“…As such, the structures of pollen grains were transferred into a representative photocatalyst of TiO2 to study the effect on photocatalytic activities in this work. Rape-pollen -grains-architectured TiO2 was synthesized by a modified method referring to [14] (Figure 1). Pollen grains' cores were removed by ultrasonic pretreatment, leaving hollow spheres surrounded by radial arrays of tubes.…”

Co‐doping of P(V) and Ti(III) in leaf‐architectured TiO2 for enhanced visible light harvesting and solar photocatalysis

“…35 Spinach-leaf-architectured TiO 2 was synthesized via a modified bio-templating procedure (Figure 1, and see details in Experimental Section). 36 Spinach leaves were impregnated with HCl (7.5% wt) for X h (X = 4~12) to remove natural metal ions (such as Mg 2+ , K + , and so on) and slowly decompose bio-ingredients including P or S containing biomolecules (Figure S1). Impregnated spinach leaves were dipped into butyl titanate solution for 18 h, cleaned by distilled water, dried at 60°C for 1 h, and eventually annealed at 500°C for 2 hours.…”