Titania nanorods coated composite hollow microspheres were successfully prepared through the surface sol-gel process followed by hydrothermal reaction. The obtained products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. The effects of hydrothermal reaction time and calcination time were explored on the morphology and structure of product. The photocatalytic properties of the products were also studied toward the degradation of methylene blue. Experimental results showed that the prepared titania nanorods coated composite hollow microspheres could completely degrade methylene blue under UV irradiation. These materials are light-weighted, and can float on water surface. They are expected to become a new type of photocatalyst that holds promise in abatement of organic pollutants on large-area surface waters.

Key words: surface sol-gel process, hydrothermal synthesis, titania, hollow microsphere, photocatalysis