A versatile bio-inspired material platform for catalytic applications: micron-sized “buckyball-shaped” TiO2 structures

摘要: A simple sol–gel synthesis method is presented for the production of micron-sized buckyball-like TiO2 architectures using naturally occurring Lycopodium clavatum (LC) spores as biotemplates. We demonstrate that by simply altering calcination temperature and titanium(IV) isopropoxide : ethanol volume ratio, crystal structure surface composition overlayer can be readily fine-tuned. After removal biological scaffold, unique morphology pore LC biotemplate successfully transferred to inorganic overlayer. also utilize photocatalytic degradation Rhodamine B dye samples functionality these architectures. Moreover, we show activity overlayers modified in a controlled manner varying relative coverages anatase rutile domains. These results open potential gateway variety bio-inspired materials with properties shapes comprised reducible metal oxides, sulfides, mixed-metal and/or perovskites.