Synthesis of free standing TiO2 nanostructures (FSTNS) via hydrothermal process for organic photocatalytic degradation

Abstract

The superiority of TiO2 nanoparticle for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant has been acknowledged in many researches. However, the powder form of TiO2 face new challenge related to its recovery after photocatalytic process. In this paper the synthesis of free standing TiO2 nanostructures (FSTNS) via hydrothermal process were reported. The effect of hydrothermal processing time at temperature 180°C to the FSTNS properties were observed. The optimum FSTNS was synthesized at 180°C in 18 hours by using acetone as oxidation agent. The synthesized FSTNS was effectively able to degrade the organic pollutant (Bromothymol blue) via photocatalysis under black light illumination.