Synthesis of mesoporous titania networks consisting of anatase nanowires by templating of bacterial cellulose membranes

Plant Photocatalysts: Photoinduced Oxidation and Reduction Abilities of Plant Leaf Ashes under Solar Light

Plant leaf ashes were obtained via the high temperature calcination of the leaves of various plants, such as sugarcane, couchgrass, bracteata, garlic sprout, and the yellowish leek. Although the photosynthesis systems in plant leaves cannot exist after calcination, minerals in these ashes were found to exhibit photochemical activities. The samples showed solar light photocatalytic oxidation activities sufficient to degrade methylene blue dye. They were also shown to possess intrinsic dehydrogenase-like activities in reducing the colorless electron acceptor 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride to a red formazan precipitate under solar light irradiation. The possible reasons behind these two unreported phenomena were also investigated. These ashes were characterized using a combination of physicochemical techniques. Moreover, our findings exemplify how the soluble and insoluble minerals in plant leaf ashes can be synergistically designed to yield next-generation photocatalysts. It may also lead to advances in artificial photosynthesis and photocatalytic dehydrogenase.

Recent advances and progress in biotemplate catalysts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Complex structures and morphologies in nature endow materials with unexpected properties and extraordinary functions. Biotemplating is an emerging strategy for replicating nature structures to obtain materials with unique morphologies and improved properties. Recently, efforts have been made to use bio-inspired species as a template for producing morphology-controllable catalysts. Fundamental information, along with recent advances in biotemplate metal-based catalysts are presented in this review through discussions of various structures and biotemplates employed for catalyst preparation. This review also outlines the recent progress on preparation routes of biotemplate catalysts and discusses how the properties and structures of these templates play a crucial role in the final performance of metal-based catalysts. Additionally, the application of bio-based metal and metal oxide catalysts is highlighted for various key energy and environmental technologies, including photocatalysis, fuel cells, and lithium batteries. Biotemplate metal-based catalysts display high efficiency in several energy and environmental systems. Note that this review provides guidance for further research in this direction.

Preparation and In Vitro Bioactivity Study of a Novel Hollow Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanofiber Scaffold

In this study, a novel three-dimensional hollow mesoporous bioactive glass nanofiber scaffold has been synthesized with a template-assisted sol-gel method using bacterial cellulose (BC) as a template and nonionic triblock copolymer (P123) as a pore-directing agent, ethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (CN), and triethyl phosphate (TEP) as glass precursors. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance method were applied to characterize the morphology, crystal structure, and chemical structure of the mesoporous bioactive glass nanofiber scaffold. Furthermore, the in vitro bioactivity and biocompatibility were also explored. The obtained scaffold depicted nanofiber-like morphology and interconnected three-dimensional network structure that replicated the BC template. The scaffold showed a large specific surface area (230.0 cm² g^-1) and pore volume (0.2 m³ g^-1). More importantly, the scaffold exhibited excellent apatite-forming ability and cellular biocompatibility. We believe that the hollow mesoporous bioactive glass nanofiber scaffold has great potential application in bone tissue regeneration.

Nanocellulose for Sustainable Water Purification

Nanocelluloses (NC) are nature-based sustainable biomaterials, which not only possess cellulosic properties but also have the important hallmarks of nanomaterials, such as large surface area, versatile reactive sites or functionalities, and scaffolding stability to host inorganic nanoparticles. This class of nanomaterials offers new opportunities for a broad spectrum of applications for clean water production that were once thought impractical. This Review covers substantial discussions based on evaluative judgments of the recent literature and technical advancements in the fields of coagulation/flocculation, adsorption, photocatalysis, and membrane filtration for water decontamination through proper understanding of fundamental knowledge of NC, such as purity, crystallinity, surface chemistry and charge, suspension rheology, morphology, mechanical properties, and film stability. To supplement these, discussions on low-cost and scalable NC extraction, new characterizations including solution small-angle X-ray scattering evaluation, and structure-property relationships of NC are also reviewed. Identifying knowledge gaps and drawing perspectives could generate guidance to overcome uncertainties associated with the adaptation of NC-enabled water purification technologies. Furthermore, the topics of simultaneous removal of multipollutants disposal and proper handling of post/spent NC are discussed. We believe NC-enabled remediation nanomaterials can be integrated into a broad range of water treatments, greatly improving the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of water purification.

Bacterial Cellulose and Its Applications

The sharp increase in the use of cellulose seems to be in increasing demand in wood; much more research related to sustainable or alternative materials is necessary as a lot of the arable land and natural resources use is unsustainable. In accordance, attention has focused on bacterial cellulose as a new functional material. It possesses a three-dimensional, gelatinous structure consisting of cellulose with mechanical and thermal properties. Moreover, while a plant-originated cellulose is composed of cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and lignin, bacterial cellulose attributable to the composition of a pure cellulose nanofiber mesh spun is not necessary in the elimination of other components. Moreover, due to its hydrophilic nature caused by binding water, consequently being a hydrogel as well as biocompatibility, it has only not only used in medical fields including artificial skin, cartilage, vessel, and wound dressing, but also in delivery; some products have even been commercialized. In addition, it is widely used in various technologies including food, paper, textile, electronic and electrical applications, and is being considered as a highly versatile green material with tremendous potential. However, many efforts have been conducted for the evolution of novel and sophisticated materials with environmental affinity, which accompany the empowerment and enhancement of specific properties. In this review article, we summarized only industry and research status regarding BC and contemplated its potential in the use of BC.

A study of TiO2 nanocrystal growth and environmental remediation capability of TiO2/CNC nanocomposites

Nanocellulose, which can be derived from any cellulosic biomass, has emerged as an appealing nanoscale scaffold to develop inorganic-organic nanocomposites for a wide range of applications. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocrystals were synthesized in the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) scaffold using a simple approach, i.e., hydrolysis of a titanium oxysulfate precursor in a CNC suspension at low temperature. The resulting TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited a narrow size range between 3 and 5 nm, uniformly distributed on and strongly adhered to the CNC surface. The structure of the resulting nanocomposite was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The growth mechanism of TiO₂ nanocrystals in the CNC scaffold was also investigated by solution small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), where the results suggested the mineralization process could be described by the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory for Ostwald ripening. The demonstrated TiO₂/CNC nanocomposite system exhibited excellent performance in dye degradation and antibacterial activity, suitable for a wide range of environmental remediation applications.

The solution characteristics of nitrated bacterial cellulose in acetone

The intrinsic viscosities of a new potential nitrocellulose substitute, nitrated bacterial cellulose (NBC) with different nitrogen content, were investigated by the solution viscometry measurements.

Multiscale Modulation of Nanocrystalline Cellulose Hydrogel via Nanocarbon Hybridization for 3D Neuronal Bilayer Formation

Bacterial biopolymers have drawn much attention owing to their unconventional three-dimensional structures and interesting functions, which are closely integrated with bacterial physiology. The nongenetic modulation of bacterial (Acetobacter xylinum) cellulose synthesis via nanocarbon hybridization, and its application to the emulation of layered neuronal tissue, is reported. The controlled dispersion of graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes into bacterial cellulose (BC) culture media not only induces structural changes within a crystalline cellulose nanofibril, but also modulates their 3D collective association, leading to substantial reduction in Young's modulus (≈50%) and clear definition of water-hydrogel interfaces. Furthermore, real-time investigation of 3D neuronal networks constructed in this GO-incorporated BC hydrogel with broken chiral nematic ordering revealed the vertical locomotion of growth cones, the accelerated neurite outgrowth (≈100 µm per day) with reduced backward travel length, and the efficient formation of synaptic connectivity with distinct axonal bifurcation abundancy at the ≈750 µm outgrowth from a cell body. In comparison with the pristine BC, GO-BC supports the formation of well-defined neuronal bilayer networks with flattened interfacial profiles and vertical axonal outgrowth, apparently emulating the neuronal development in vivo. We envisioned that our findings may contribute to various applications of engineered BC hydrogel to fundamental neurobiology studies and neural engineering.

Preparation, structural characterization, and in vitro cell studies of three-dimensional SiO2-CaO binary glass scaffolds built ofultra-small nanofibers

Three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous scaffolds hold great promises in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this work, for the first time, 3D SiO₂-CaO binary glass nanofibrous scaffolds have been fabricated via a combined method of template-assisted sol-gel and calcination by using bacterial cellulose as the template. SEM with EDS, TEM, and AFM confirm that the molar ratio of Ca to Si and fiber diameter of the resultant SiO₂-CaO nanofibers can be controlled by immersion time in the solution of tetraethyl orthosilicate and ethanol. The optimal immersion time was 6h which produced the SiO₂-CaO binary glass containing 60at.% Si and 40at.% Ca (named 60S40C). The fiber diameter of 60S40C scaffold is as small as 29nm. In addition, the scaffold has highly porous 3D nanostructure with dominant mesopores at 10.6nm and macropores at 20μm as well as a large BET surface area (240.9m²g^-1), which endow the 60S40C scaffold excellent biocompatibility and high ALP activity as revealed by cell studies using osteoblast cells. These results suggest that the 60S40C scaffold has great potential in bone tissue regeneration.

Sustainable hybrid photocatalysts: titania immobilized on carbon materials derived from renewable and biodegradable resources

This review comprises the preparation, properties and heterogeneous photocatalytic applications of TiO2 immobilized on carbon materials derived from earth-abundant, renewable and biodegradable agricultural residues and sea food waste resources. The overview provides key scientific insights into widely used TiO2 supported on carbonaceous materials emanating from biopolymeric materials such as lignin, cellulose, cellulose acetate, bacterial cellulose, bamboo, wood, starch, chitosan and agricultural residues (biochar, charcoal, activated carbon and their magnetic forms, coal fly ash) or seafood wastes namely eggshell, clamshell and fish scales; materials that serve as a support/template for TiO2. Heightened awareness and future inspirational developments for the valorisation of various forms of carbonaceous functional materials is the main objective. This appraisal abridges various strategies available to upgrade renewable carbon-based feedstock via the generation of sustainable TiO2/carbon functional materials and provides remarks on their future prospects. Hopefully, this will stimulate the development of efficient and novel composite photocatalysts and engender the necessary knowledge base for further advancements in greener photocatalytic technologies.

Biomimetic and Bioinspired Synthesis of Nanomaterials/Nanostructures

In recent years, due to its unparalleled advantages, the biomimetic and bioinspired synthesis of nanomaterials/nanostructures has drawn increasing interest and attention. Generally, biomimetic synthesis can be conducted either by mimicking the functions of natural materials/structures or by mimicking the biological processes that organisms employ to produce substances or materials. Biomimetic synthesis is therefore divided here into "functional biomimetic synthesis" and "process biomimetic synthesis". Process biomimetic synthesis is the focus of this review. First, the above two terms are defined and their relationship is discussed. Next different levels of biological processes that can be used for process biomimetic synthesis are compiled. Then the current progress of process biomimetic synthesis is systematically summarized and reviewed from the following five perspectives: i) elementary biomimetic system via biomass templates, ii) high-level biomimetic system via soft/hard-combined films, iii) intelligent biomimetic systems via liquid membranes, iv) living-organism biomimetic systems, and v) macromolecular bioinspired systems. Moreover, for these five biomimetic systems, the synthesis procedures, basic principles, and relationships are discussed, and the challenges that are encountered and directions for further development are considered.

Thermal-structural relationship of individual titania nanotubes

The thermal properties of nano-scale materials are largely influenced by their geometry. The zero, one and quasi one dimensional forms of the same material could exhibit unique thermal transport properties depending upon the shape and nano-scale feature size. In order to gain a clear understanding of the contributions from geometrical scattering effects on thermal transport, it is required to study these nano-materials in a single isolated form rather than in clusters or films. In the past decade, titanium dioxide nanotube arrays fabricated by anodic oxidation of titanium emerged as a useful semiconductor architecture for a variety of applications, particularly for solar energy conversion. Nonetheless, the thermal properties of individual nanotubes that are important for their use in high temperature applications have not been clearly understood. Here we report the thermal transport properties of individual titania nanotubes as revealed by our preliminary study using a suspended microdevice that facilitates the thermal conductivity measurements and crystal structure investigation on the same nanotube. The nanotubes were prepared by anodic oxidation of a titanium foil in HF-DMSO electrolyte at 60 V, having outer diameters in the range of 200 to 300 nm and wall thicknesses of ∼30 to 70 nm in either amorphous or polycrystalline anatase phase. The thermal conductivity of single nanotubes was found to be very close to that of the amorphous phase (1.5 W mK(-1) and 0.85 W mK(-1) respectively) and it was only half of the thermal conductivity of the nanotube arrays in the film form. The thermal conductivity of bulk TiO2 is known to be almost six times higher. The observed thermal conductivity suppression in single nanotubes was explained using a transport model developed by considering diffuse phonon-surface scattering and scattering of phonons by ionized impurities of concentrations in the order of 10(18)-10(19) cm(-3).

Hierarchical Formation Mechanism of CoFe2O4 Mesoporous Assemblies

The development of synthetic hybrid organic-inorganic approaches and the understanding of the chemico-physical mechanisms leading to hierarchical assembly of nanocrystals into superstructures pave the way to the design and fabrication of multifunction microdevices able to simultaneously control processes at the nanoscale. This work deals with the design of spherical mesoporous magnetic assemblies through a surfactant assisted water-based strategy and the study of the formation mechanism by a combined use of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and time-resolved small angle X-ray scattering techniques. We visualize the hierarchical mechanism formation of the magnetic assemblies in the selected sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)-assisted water-based strategy. At the first stage, an intermediate lamellar phase (L) represented by β-Co(OH)2 and FeOOH hexagonal plates is formed. Then, the nucleation of primary CoFe2O4 (N1) nanocrystals of about 6-7 nm occurs by the dissolution of FeOOH and the reaction of Fe(III) ions coordinated to the SDS micelles, at the reactive sites provided by vertices and edges of the β-Co(OH)2 plates. The intermediate phase consumes as the primary crystalline nanoparticles form, confined by the surfactant molecules around them, and assembly in spherical mesoporous assemblies. The key role of the surfactant in the formation of porous assemblies has been evidenced by an experiment carried out in the absence of SDS and confirmed by the pore size diameter of the assemblies (about 2-3 nm), that can be correlated with the length of the surfactant dodecylsulfate molecule.

Synthesis and photocatalysis of mesoporous titania templated by natural rubber latex

The natural latex secreted by plants was used as a biotemplate to synthesize porous materials, and high photocatalytic activity was achieved by using this natural rubber latex templated titania under solar light.

Bacterial cellulose-templated synthesis of free-standing silica nanotubes with a three-dimensional network structure

Free-standing silica nanotubes with a three-dimensional network structure were prepared via a template-assisted sol–gel process by using bacterial cellulose as a template and catalyst and for calcination.

Functionalized bacterial cellulose derivatives and nanocomposites

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a fascinating and renewable natural nanomaterial characterized by favorable properties such as remarkable mechanical properties, porosity, water absorbency, moldability, biodegradability and excellent biological affinity. Intensive research and exploration in the past few decades on BC nanomaterials mainly focused on their biosynthetic process to achieve the low-cost preparation and application in medical, food, advanced acoustic diaphragms, and other fields. These investigations have led to the emergence of more diverse potential applications exploiting the functionality of BC nanomaterials. This review gives a summary of construction strategies including biosynthetic modification, chemical modification, and different in situ and ex situ patterns of functionalization for the preparation of advanced BC-based functional nanomaterials. The major studies being directed toward elaborate designs of highly functionalized material systems for many-faceted prospective applications. Simple biosynthetic or chemical modification on BC surface can improve its compatibility with different matrix and expand its utilization in nano-related applications. Moreover, based on the construction strategies of functional nanomaterial system, different guest substrates including small molecules, inorganic nanoparticles or nanowires, and polymers can be incorporated onto the surfaces of BC nanofibers to prepare various functional nanocomposites with outstanding properties, or significantly improved physicochemical, catalytic, optoelectronic, as well as magnetic properties. We focus on the preparation methods, formation mechanisms, and unique performances of the different BC derivatives or BC-based nanocomposites. The special applications of the advanced BC-based functional nanomaterials, such as sensors, photocatalytic nanomaterials, optoelectronic devices, and magnetically responsive membranes are also critically and comprehensively reviewed.

Nanocellulose electroconductive composites

Cellulose-based electroconductive composites can be prepared by combining conducting electroactive materials with hydrophilic biocompatible cellulose. Inorganic nanoparticles, such as metal ions and oxides, carbon nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, conducting polymers, and ionic liquids (through doping, blending or coating) can be introduced into the cellulose matrix. Such composites can form a biocompatible interface for microelectronic devices, and provide a biocompatible matrix or scaffold for electrically stimulated drug release devices, implantable biosensors, and neuronal prostheses. Here the benefits of combining conventional and bacterial cellulose with these electroactive composites are described and future applications are considered.

In situ synthesis of photocatalytically active hybrids consisting of bacterial nanocellulose and anatase nanoparticles

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is an extraordinary biopolymer with a wide range of potential technical applications. The high specific surface area and the interconnected pore system of the nanofibrillar BNC network suggest applications as a carrier of catalysts. The present paper describes an in situ modification route for the preparation of a hybrid material consisting of BNC and photocatalytically active anatase (TiO(2)) nanoparticles (NPs). The influence of different NP concentrations on the BNC biosynthesis and the resulting supramolecular structure of the hybrids was investigated. It was found that the number of colony forming units (CFUs) and the consumption of glucose during biosynthesis remained unaffected compared to unmodified BNC. During the formation of the BNC network, the NPs were incorporated in the whole volume of the accruing hybrid. Their distribution within the hybrid material is affected by the anisotropic structure of BNC. The photocatalytic activity (PCA) of the BNC-TiO(2) hybrids was determined by methanol conversion (MC) under UV irradiation. These tests demonstrated that the NPs retained their PCA after incorporation into the BNC carrier structure. The PCA of the hybrid material depends on the amount of incorporated NPs. No alteration of the photocatalyst's efficiency was found during repeated PCA tests. In conclusion, the in situ integration of photocatalytically active NPs into BNC represents an attractive possibility to extend its fields of application to porous filtering media for drinking water purification and air cleaning.

A review on the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by solution route

TiO2 can be prepared in the form of powder, crystals, or thin films. Liquid-phase processing is one of the most convenient and utilized methods of synthesis. It has the advantage of allowing control over the stoichiometry, production of homogeneous materials, formation of complex shapes, and preparation of composite materials. However, there may be some disadvantages such as expensive precursors, long processing times, and the presence of carbon as an impurity. In comparison, the physical production techniques, although environment friendly, are limited by the size of the produced samples which is not sufficient for a large-scale production. The most commonly used solution routes in the synthesis of TiO2 are reviewed.

Bacterial Nanocellulose for Medicine Regenerative

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has established to be a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in a wide variety of applied scientific endeavours, especially for medical devices. Nanocellulose, such as that produced by the bacteria Gluconacetobacter xylinus (bacterial cellulose, BC), is an emerging biomaterial with great potential in flexible radar absorbing materials, in scaffold for tissue regeneration, water treatment, and medical applications. Bacterial cellulose nanofibril bundles have excellent intrinsic properties due to their high crystallinity, which is higher than that generally recorded for macroscale natural fibers and is of the same order as the elastic modulus of glass fibers. Compared with cellulose from plants, BC also possesses higher water holding capacity, higher degree of polymerization (up to 8000), and a finer weblike network. In addition, BC is produced as a highly hydrated and relatively pure cellulose membrane, and therefore no chemical treatments are needed to remove lignin and hemicelluloses, as is the case for plant cellulose. Because of these characteristics, biomedical devices recently have gained a significant amount of attention because of an increased interest in tissue-engineered products for both wound care and the regeneration of damaged or diseased organs. Hydrophilic bacterial cellulose fibers of an average diameter of 50 nm are produced by the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum, using a fermentation process. The architecture of BC materials can be engineered over length scales ranging from nano to macro by controlling the biofabrication process. Moreover, the nanostructure and morphological similarities with collagen make BC attractive for cell immobilization and cell support. This review describes the fundamentals, purification, and morphological investigation of bacterial cellulose. Besides, microbial cellulose modification and how to increase the compatibility between cellulosic surfaces and a variety of plastic materials have been reported. Furthermore, provides deep knowledge of current and future applications of bacterial cellulose and their nanocomposites especially in the medical field.

Biotemplated materials for sustainable energy and environment: current status and challenges

Materials science will play a key role in the further development of emerging solutions for the increasing problems of energy and environment. Materials found in nature have many inspiring structures, such as hierarchical organizations, periodic architectures, or nanostructures, that endow them with amazing functions, such as energy harvesting and conversion, antireflection, structural coloration, superhydrophobicity, and biological self-assembly. Biotemplating is an effective strategy to obtain morphology-controllable materials with structural specificity, complexity, and related unique functions. Herein, we highlight the synthesis and application of biotemplated materials for six key areas of energy and environment technologies, namely, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, CO(2) reduction, solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, photocatalytic degradation, and gas/vapor sensing. Although the applications differ from each other, a common fundamental challenge is to realize optimum structures for improved performances. We highlight the role of four typical structures derived from biological systems exploited to optimize properties: hierarchical (porous) structures, periodic (porous) structures, hollow structures, and nanostructures. We also provide examples of using biogenic elements (e.g., C, Si, N, I, P, S) for the creation of active materials. Finally, we disscuss the challenges of achieving the desired performance for large-scale commercial applications and provide some useful prototypes from nature for the biomimetic design of new materials or systems. The emphasis is mainly focused on the structural effects and compositional utilization of biotemplated materials.

Pumice as a remarkable substrate for the origin of life

The context for the emergence of life on Earth sometime prior to 3.5 billion years ago is almost as big a puzzle as the definition of life itself. Hitherto, the problem has largely been addressed in terms of theoretical and experimental chemistry plus evidence from extremophile habitats like modern hydrothermal vents and meteorite impact structures. Here, we argue that extensive rafts of glassy, porous, and gas-rich pumice could have had a significant role in the origin of life and provided an important habitat for the earliest communities of microorganisms. This is because pumice has four remarkable properties. First, during eruption it develops the highest surface-area-to-volume ratio known for any rock type. Second, it is the only known rock type that floats as rafts at the air-water interface and then becomes beached in the tidal zone for long periods of time. Third, it is exposed to an unusually wide variety of conditions, including dehydration. Finally, from rafting to burial, it has a remarkable ability to adsorb metals, organics, and phosphates as well as to host organic catalysts such as zeolites and titanium oxides. These remarkable properties now deserve to be rigorously explored in the laboratory and the early rock record.

The design, fabrication, and photocatalytic utility of nanostructured semiconductors: focus on TiO2-based nanostructures

Recent advances in basic fabrication techniques of TiO2-based nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanoplatelets, and both physical- and solution-based techniques have been adopted by various research groups around the world. Our research focus has been mainly on various deposition parameters used for fabricating nanostructured materials, including TiO2-organic/inorganic nanocomposite materials. Technically, TiO2 shows relatively high reactivity under ultraviolet light, the energy of which exceeds the band gap of TiO2. The development of photocatalysts exhibiting high reactivity under visible light allows the main part of the solar spectrum to be used. Visible light-activated TiO2 could be prepared by doping or sensitizing. As far as doping of TiO2 is concerned, in obtaining tailored material with improved properties, metal and nonmetal doping has been performed in the context of improved photoactivity. Nonmetal doping seems to be more promising than metal doping. TiO2 represents an effective photocatalyst for water and air purification and for self-cleaning surfaces. Additionally, it can be used as an antibacterial agent because of its strong oxidation activity and superhydrophilicity. Therefore, applications of TiO2 in terms of photocatalytic activities are discussed here. The basic mechanisms of the photoactivities of TiO2 and nanostructures are considered alongside band structure engineering and surface modification in nanostructured TiO2 in the context of doping. The article reviews the basic structural, optical, and electrical properties of TiO2, followed by detailed fabrication techniques of 0-, 1-, and quasi-2-dimensional TiO2 nanomaterials. Applications and future directions of nanostructured TiO2 are considered in the context of various photoinduced phenomena such as hydrogen production, electricity generation via dye-sensitized solar cells, photokilling and self-cleaning effect, photo-oxidation of organic pollutant, wastewater management, and organic synthesis.