Titanate nanotubes produced by hydrothermal synthesis: study of catalytic and adsorptive properties

One-dimensional titanate nanostructures exhibit better catalytic and adsorptive properties than mixed oxide materials. Due to the advantage of their nanotubular morphology, especially nanotubes synthesized in a one-step hydrothermal process, these nanostructures exhibit interesting surface defects, and together with their surface areas, they stand as ideal surfaces that can tailor and boost the catalytic and photoactivity of other materials in the form of nanocomposites. Here, several applications of these nanostructures are critically discussed in order to remark on their importance in the stability and high dispersion of metal nanoparticles in gas phase catalytic processes. Moreover, the use of 1D titanates is also discussed for the photocatalytic degradation of gases (VOCs, NO_x, SO_x, and so on), the mineralization of aqueous drugs and organic compounds, the disinfection of microorganisms harmful to public health and to agriculture, as well as in the generation of alternative energy sources such as hydrogen production and CO₂ reduction, together with their adsorptive properties.