A review of TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

Climate change and the consumption of non-renewable resources are considered as the greatest problems facing humankind. Because of this, photocatalysis research has been rapidly expanding. TiO 2 nanoparticles have been extensively investigated for photocatalytic applications including the decomposition of organic compounds and production of H 2 as a fuel using solar energy. This article reviews the structure and electronic properties of TiO 2 , compares TiO 2 with other common semiconductors used for photocatalytic applications and clarifies the advantages of using TiO 2 nanoparticles. TiO 2 is considered close to an ideal semiconductor for photocatalysis but possesses certain limitations such as poor absorption of visible radiation and rapid recombination of photogenerated electron/hole pairs. In this review article, various methods used to enhance the photocatalytic characteristics of TiO 2 including dye sensitization, doping, coupling and capping are discussed. Environmental and energy applications of TiO 2 , including photocatalytic treatment of wastewater, pesticide degradation and water splitting to produce hydrogen have been summarized. Historical backgroundThe growth of industry worldwide has tremendously increased the generation and accumulation of waste byproducts. In general, the production of useful products has been focused on and the generation of waste byproducts has been largely ignored. This has caused severe environmental problems that have become a major concern. Researchers all over the world have been working on various approaches to address this issue. Photoinduced processes have been studied and various applications have been developed. One important technique for removing industrial waste is the use of light energy (electromagnetic radiation) and particles sensitive to this energy to mineralize waste which aids in its removal from solution. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is considered very close to an ideal semiconductor for photocatalysis because of its high stability, low cost and safety toward both humans and the environment.*Corresponding author (email: shipra.mital@gmail.com)In 1964, Kato et al.[1] published their work on the photocatalytic oxidation of tetralin (1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) by a TiO 2 suspension, which was followed by McLintock et al. [2] investigating the photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene and propylene in the presence of oxygen adsorbed on TiO 2 . However, the most important discovery that extensively promoted the field of photocatalysis was the "Honda-Fujishima Effect" first described by Fujishima and Honda in 1972 [3]. This well-known chemical phenomenon involves electrolysis of water, which is related to photocatalysis. Photoirradiation of a TiO 2 (rutile) single crystal electrode immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution induced the evolution of oxygen from the TiO 2 electrode and the evolution of hydrogen from a platinum counterelectrode when an anodic bias was applied to the TiO 2 working electrode. In 1977, Frank and Bard [4] examined the reduction of ...

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“…TiO 2 can function as both an oxidative and reductive catalyst. TiO 2 is considered very close to an ideal semiconductor for photocatalysis because of its high strong oxidizing power, non toxicity and long term photostablility [15]. Some challenges in TiO 2 photocatalysis, including enhancement of the catalytic activity, controllability of the structural properties, immobilization to form films and membranes and narrowing of the band gap energy, could be solved by introducing nanotechnological synthesis routes, noble material processing approaches, and new reactor design and concepts.…”

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“…In 1964, Kato et al used a TiO 2 suspension for the photocatalytic oxidation of tetralin (1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene) [1]. In 1972, the "HondaFujishima Effect" first described by Fujishima and Honda intensively promoted the photocatalytic field [2].…”