Influence of pH value on photocatalytic activity of Bi₄Ti ₃O₁₂ crystals obtained by hydrothermal method

Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (BIT) crystals were controllably synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process without adding any surfactant or template. The morphologies of BIT with nanosphere, nanoplate, nanobelt, and nanosheet can be selectively obtained by adjusting the pH value of the reactant. The formation mechanisms of these distinctive morphologies were then discussed based on the structural analysis of samples obtained at different pH values. BIT sample prepared at pH=1 showed the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic activities difference for the BIT samples synthesized at different pH values was studied based on their shape, size, and the variation of local structure.