Rapid Synthesis of Nanostructured Pure Anatase TiO2 with High Thermal Stability by Polymeric Sol-Gel Route

Abstract

The nanostructured anatase TiO2 with high thermal stability was prepared by polymeric sol-gel method without any additives. The particle size distribution of polymeric titania sol was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Then properties of obtained titania were investigated by TG-DTA, XRD, FESEM and TEM. Also, the decolorization capability of resultant anatase was evaluated using methyl orange degradation in aqueous solution by UV–visible spectrophotometer. The results of DLS showed that the particle size distribution of the polymeric sol, after 1 and 50 days is in the range of 0.5-2 and 1-3 nm, respectively. The polymeric gel calcined at different temperatures resulted crystalline structure of anatase that showed high thermal stability against phase transformation up to 750 °C. Also, crystallite size of anatase calcined at 400-750 °C was in the range of 10-50 nm. The prepared nanostructured anatase in this research showed a significant decolorization capability for methyl orange degradation.