Synthesis of Anatase Se/Te‐TiO₂ Nanorods with Dominant {100} Facets: Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Activity Induced by Visible Light

A facile method for the preparation of Te‐ and Se/Te‐doped anatase TiO 2 nanorods (NRs) with exposed {100} facets, which provides high photocatalytic and antibacterial activity under irradiation with visible light, is developed. Sodium titanate nanotubes are formed from commercial TiO 2 nanoparticles (P25) in NaOH through a hydrothermal reaction. The as‐prepared Na‐titanate nanotubes are then used to form Te‐TiO 2 nanotubes in the presence of tellurite (TeO 3 2− ) ions and NaBH 4 . Upon further hydrothermal reaction, the Te‐TiO 2 nanotubes are transformed to form Te‐TiO 2 NRs that further form Se n/ Te‐TiO 2 NRs through a reduction of selenite (SeO 3 2− ) ions with NaBH 4 . The Te‐TiO 2 NRs and Se n/ Te‐TiO 2 NRs have highly active {100} facets and thus provide the photocatalytic activities for the generation of ⋅OH at 2.5 and 4.5 times higher than that of commercial P25, respectively. The Te‐TiO 2 and Se n /Te‐TiO 2 NRs exhibit higher antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus than P25 when activated by visible light. These stable and biocompatible Te‐TiO 2 and Se n /Te‐TiO 2 NRs hold great potential as potent antibacterial agents.