Formation of TiO 2 nanomaterials via titanium ethylene glycolide decomposition
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Joseph W. Otto Department of Physics, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Tanmoy Dutta Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
James Murowchick Department of Geosciences, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Anthony N. Caruso Department of Physics, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64110
Zhonghua Peng and Xiaobo Chena) Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri—Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 64110 (Received 7 May 2012; accepted 29 June 2012)
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials, as important photocatalysis materials, have been synthesized with many approaches. In this study, we reported the synthesis of TiO2 nanomaterials by reacting titanium isopropoxide with ethylene glycol under basic condition followed by calcination at high temperatures. The structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of the TiO2 nanomaterials were studied with x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, x-ray and ultraviolet (UV) photoemission spectroscopy, UV–vis diffusive reflectance, and photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue. We found that the titanium ethylene glycolide decomposes at 330 °C and transforms into pure anatase TiO2 around 400 °C. The anatase phase further transforms into core/shell rutile/anatase TiO2 composite at 550 °C and displays the highest photocatalytic activity among the samples prepared. The high photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the improved charge separation at the rutile/anatase n/n junction interface and the high crystallinity of the sample after calcination.
I. INTRODUCTION
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used as a pigment,1 and as a component in sunscreens,2,3 paints,1,4 toothpaste,5 etc., since the start of its first commercial production in the early 20th century. In 1972, Fujishima and Honda6 discovered the phenomenon of photocatalytic splitting of water on a TiO2 electrode under ultraviolet (UV) light. The recent significant efforts in TiO2 materials research have led to many promising applications in areas ranging from photocatalysis to photovoltaics.7–9 In the past several decades, great progress has been made in the synthesis, properties, modifications, and applications of TiO2 nanomaterials.10 TiO2 nanomaterials have been fabria)
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected] This author was an editor of this focus issue during the review and decision stage. For the JMR policy on review and publication of manuscripts authored by editors, please refer to http://www.mrs. org/jmr-editor-manuscripts/ DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2012.239 326
J. Mater. Res., Vol. 28, No. 3, Feb 14, 2013
http://journals.cambridge.org
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cated with a variety sizes and morphologies such as nanoparticles,10,11 nanorods,10 nanowires,10 and nanotubes10 by different synthetic methods including sol,11 sol–gel,12 micelle
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