Sol-Gel Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Preparation and Structural Characterization

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticle was achieved in an alternative sol-gel route, as involved in 1 M acidic solution: HCl-tetrahydrofuran (HCl-THF), HNO 3 -tetrahydrofuran (HNO 3 -THF), and ClHNO 2 -tetrahydrofuran (ClHNO 2 -THF) solution. Resultant TiO 2 nanoparticle was further investigated in a systematic analytical approach. Nanoscale TiO 2 structure was observed at a moderate hydrolysis ratio (8≤RH≤16). Particle size range was much narrower in an aprotic HNO 3 -THF medium, as compared to a differential HCl-THF medium. Biphasic TiO 2 structure was detected at a certain hydrolysis ratio (RH≥16). Even so, relative anatase content was rather insignificant in an aprotic HCl-THF medium, as compared to a differential HNO 3 -THF medium. Tetragonal TiO 2 structure was observed in the entire hydrolysis ratio (4≤RH≤32). Interstitial lattice defect was evident in an aprotic HNO 3 -THF medium but absent in a differential ClHNO 2 -THF medium.