Low Energy Consumption Synthesis of Nanostructured TiO₂Particles by Combining Oxidant Peroxide Method and Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Treatment

Abstract

Titanium dioxide with high specific surface area in the crystalline anatase phase is a promising material for environmental applications. In this work, TiO2with good applicability for photocatalytic processes has been obtained using the low energy consumption synthesis based on oxidant peroxide method combined with microwave-assisted low temperature hydrothermal treatment. To prepare the material, titanium propoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol were used. The influence of time and temperature during the hydrothermal step on properties like morphology, crystallinity, phase composition, specific surface area, and photocatalytic behavior were investigated. Photoactivity was measured using the methyl orange decomposition method in UV-A light. Increasing temperature during hydrothermal step, photocatalytic properties could be improved. The nanostructured TiO2particles synthesized at 200°C and 30 min with this method showed photocatalytic activity comparable to commercial Aeroxide® TiO2P25.