Preparation of TiO2 photocatalyst using TiCl4 as a precursor and its photocatalytic performance

Abstract

Titania (TiO2) photocatalysts were prepared by aqueous hydrolysis of TiCl4 and deposition with NaOH at 400-900°C. The powders obtained have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photocatalytic activities of the samples were also examined using the degradation of β-naphthol as a model reaction. As the calcination temperature increases, the anatase and rutile crystallite sizes increase. TiO2 powder calcined at 700°C exhibits much higher photocatalytic activity than commercial TiO2 Degussa P-25. The photodegradation rate of β-naphthol using TiO2 700°C particles was faster than that using TiO2 Degussa P-25 as photocatalyst by 2 times. Conversely, prolonged calcination at higher temperatures (900°C) is detrimental to photoactivity. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.