A rapid and facile synthesis method for nanosize rutile phase Tio sub(2) with high photocatalytic activity

Abstract

A green, rapid and facile method for synthesis of pure rutile TiO sub(2) has been developed. Rutile TiO sub(2) of high purity was synthesized by controlled hydrolysis of TiCl sub(3) in aqueous medium at room temperature. Addition of nitric acid to TiCl sub(3) greatly increased the rate of TiCl sub(3) hydrolysis, crystallization and surface area of the prepared TiO sub(2) powder. The phase obtained in this way was identified by X-ray diffraction. TiO sub(2) synthesized by this method showed a unique flower-like assembly of nanotubes, very high surface area and high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.