Growth behavior of TiO2 particles via the liquid phase deposition process

Abstract

TiO2 particles were obtained from aqueous solutions by the liquid phase deposition (LPD) method. The crystalline anatase TiO2 particles could be prepared below 100°C directly from aqueous solutions. The growth behavior of TiO2 particles via the LPD process was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From DLS measurement, the particle growth process shows a sigmoidal curve and can be divided into three stages, i.e., the initial stage, the acceleration stage, and the completion stage. TEM measurements revealed that the primary particles with a diameter of ca. 50 nm were deposited at the initial stage. At the acceleration stage, these primary particles were assembled to form raspberry-like particles with a diameter of ca. 300 nm. Finally, the particles were precipitated by further aggregation with the micrometer size at the completion stage.