Facile Synthesis of Broadleaf-Shaped Titanate Nanosheets with Excellent UV Absorption Behavior

Broadleaf-shaped titanate nanosheets(B-TNSs)were synthesized via one-pot solvothermal method,and characterized by scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and X-ray diffraction etc.It is found that the synthesized B-TNSs consist of broadleaf-shaped nanosheet with a lateral size of ca.100 nm and a thickness of ca.1.2 nm.Owing to the ultrathin thickness,obvious blue shift of the absorption band edge can be observed in the absorption spectrum of B-TNSs resulting from quantum size effect.Besides,the specific surface area of B-TNSs is determined to be 348 m2/g,which is ca.6-fold larger than that of commercial P25 TiO2 nanoparticles.In the optical absorption experiment,B-TNSs exhibit much stronger absorption for ultraviolet light than P25 TiO2.These advantages of B-TNSs in morphological structure and optical absorption may make it a potential application in ultraviolet absorption and photocatalytic field.