Difference in TiO₂ photocatalytic mechanism between rutile and anatase studied by the detection of active oxygen and surface species in water.

Various kinds of TiO2 photocatalysts have been practically applied in various fields. Knowing the exact surface properties is a prerequisite to develop further and efficient applications. However, the cause of the essential difference in the activities of the two polymorphs of TiO2, rutile and anatase, has not been clearly elucidated yet.