Effect of pH on TiO2 nanoparticles via sol gel method

Abstract

A series of titania nanoparticles was successfully synthesized via sol gel method using titanium tetraisopropoxide as a precursor. In this paper, data concerning the effect of pH towards the development of TiO2 nanoparticles is reported. The samples were characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). XRD results showed the existence of nanocrystalline anatase phases with crystallite size ranging from 7-14 nm. Surface morphological studies obtain from SEM micrograph showed the particles with rodlike shape are rutile while the spherical shapes are anatase in nature. It was also found the pH of the solution affect the agglomeration of the particles. Results of photocatalytic studies exhibits that titania powder prepared at pH 9 has an excellent photocatalytic activity with degradation 74.7% within 60 minutes.