Abstract
In this study, we report that highly water dispersible TiO2 nanocrystals could be synthesized via a facile nonaqueous sol–gel method using titanium tetrachloride and ethanol as the precursors. The resulting TiO2 samples were 5–10nm in diameter according to characterizations with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that carbonaceous species were formed and bound on the surface of TiO2 nanocrystals during the synthesis. These carbonaceous species could prevent the agglomeration of TiO2 nanocrystals and endow the TiO2 nanocrystals with highly water dispersible property and superior photocatalytic activity on the degradation of organic pollutant under visible light irradiation. We believe that the resulting TiO2 nanocrystals with highly water dispersibility and superior photocatalytic activity could find wide applications in many fields.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
