Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378:2
1 3
Graphical Abstract
Keywords Mechanochemistry · Sonochemistry · Ultrasound-assisted synthesis ·
One-dimensional titanium oxide · Photocatalysis · Ball milling
1 Introduction
1.1 Nanotechnology and Photocatalysis
Generally, the impact of nanotechnology has been astonishingly positive in the last
decades toward a wide range of environmental, energy, catalysis, as well as synthetic applications and technologies, with a continuous incremental trend of published peer-reviewed articles. Nanostructured and nanoengineered materials garner
continuously enhanced research attention and focus due to their unique and novel
properties, especially in comparison to bulk materials/counterparts. Application of
nanoscaled materials covers a broad range of fields, from electronics and catalytic
reactions, to medical and environmental remediation, while novel nanomaterials for
new applications are highly desired. The properties of nanomaterials depend on the
morphological (shape and size), structural (surface area and porosity), optical (bandgap and light-harvesting capability), and surface chemistry features (nature and
availability of the reactive sites). Another important aspect is to obtain well-defined
phase composition of high homogeneity. All the above features are directly linked
and dependent on the method/protocol of preparation [1]. By tuning specific synthetic parameters, such as temperature, aging, and washing protocol, it is feasible to
control the vital features for a targeted use. For instance, the chemical composition
and the porosity are crucial features regarding catalytic synthesis and environmental
applications. On the other hand, the optical and morphological features are more
important for fabricating crystals for photonic devices.
Another important target in laboratory as well as in industrial research is to find
novel ways to conduct reactions following “green” approaches. And toward this
direction, photocatalysis is a favorable tool, since it is feasible to utilize a natural source of energy, solar light. The harvesting of light from a photocatalyst can
30
Reprinted from the journal
1 3
Graphical Abstract
Keywords Mechanochemistry · Sonochemistry · Ultrasound-assisted synthesis ·
One-dimensional titanium oxide · Photocatalysis · Ball milling
1 Introduction
1.1 Nanotechnology and Photocatalysis
Generally, the impact of nanotechnology has been astonishingly positive in the last
decades toward a wide range of environmental, energy, catalysis, as well as synthetic applications and technologies, with a continuous incremental trend of published peer-reviewed articles. Nanostructured and nanoengineered materials garner
continuously enhanced research attention and focus due to their unique and novel
properties, especially in comparison to bulk materials/counterparts. Application of
nanoscaled materials covers a broad range of fields, from electronics and catalytic
reactions, to medical and environmental remediation, while novel nanomaterials for
new applications are highly desired. The properties of nanomaterials depend on the
morphological (shape and size), structural (surface area and porosity), optical (bandgap and light-harvesting capability), and surface chemistry features (nature and
availability of the reactive sites). Another important aspect is to obtain well-defined
phase composition of high homogeneity. All the above features are directly linked
and dependent on the method/protocol of preparation [1]. By tuning specific synthetic parameters, such as temperature, aging, and washing protocol, it is feasible to
control the vital features for a targeted use. For instance, the chemical composition
and the porosity are crucial features regarding catalytic synthesis and environmental
applications. On the other hand, the optical and morphological features are more
important for fabricating crystals for photonic devices.
Another important target in laboratory as well as in industrial research is to find
novel ways to conduct reactions following “green” approaches. And toward this
direction, photocatalysis is a favorable tool, since it is feasible to utilize a natural source of energy, solar light. The harvesting of light from a photocatalyst can
30
Reprinted from the journal