Silver-doped rutile TiO₂ nanotubes synthesis. First insights into selective photo-oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivatives under visible light

The synergistic effect between rutile TiO2 nanotubes and silver nanoparticles on the surface was studied. For that purpose, rutile TiO2 nanotubes were elaborated by a hydrothermal method, doped with silver by a wetness impregnation approach and fully characterized. The as synthesized material showed an improved photocatalytic activity, compared with bare rutile nanotubes, which was correlated to the changes in the optical, structural, and textural properties associated with the variation of silver amount. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared catalysts was evaluated into the oxidation of different benzyl alcohol derivatives under visible light.