Data for: WS2 nanodot-modified TiO2 nanotubes to enhance the visible-light photocatalytic activity

The crystalline phases of the samples were analyzed by using an X-ray diffraction (XRD, Bruker D8 X-ray diffractometer) with Cu Ka radiation source. Scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) and elemental mapping were recorded on a Hitachi S-4800 instrument. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed with a JEM-2100F. The FT-IR was performed on Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett-Joiner-Halenda (BJH) pore-size distribution measurements were tested on a NOVA-2000 volumetric gas sorption instrument. UV-vis spectra of the samples were obtained using a Shimadzu UV-2550 spectrophotometer using BaSO4 as reference. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were measured with a Fluorolog 3 spectrofluorometer (Horiba Jobin Yvon) with an excitation of 325 nm wavelength. Photodegradation process: The photocatalytic activity was evaluated under simulated solar irradiation with Rh B as a model pollutant. Briefly, 10 mg of catalyst was dispersed in Rh B solution (80 mL, 10 mg/L). Prior to irradiation, the suspension was magnetically stirred for 60 min in the dark to establish an adsorption-desorption equilibrium. A 300 W Xe lamp with simulate solar light filter was used as the light source. At given intervals, 5 mL of the suspension was withdrawn and centrifuged to remove the dispersed catalyst powder. The concentration of the clean transparent solution was determined by measuring the 553 nm absorbance of Rh B using a UV-vis spectrophotometer.