Anatase TiO 2 single crystals with dominant {0 0 1} facets: Synthesis, shape-control mechanism and photocatalytic activity

•Anatase TiO2 bipyramids exposing large {0 0 1} facets were synthesized.•NaF plus HCl was used to replace HF for the morphology control.•F− and H+ synergistically affected the synthesis of truncated TiO2 bipyramids.•EDS provided the first evidence that F− preferably adsorbed on {0 0 1} facets of anatase TiO2.•Smaller TiO2 crystals exposing larger {0 0 1} facets exhibit higher photocatalytic activity.