Anatase/Rutile TiO2 composite prepared via sonochemical process and their photocatalytic activity

Abstract

In this work, Anatase/Rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite powders prepared by sonochemical process which titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) were used as titanium precursor. The as-prepared powders were calcined at different temperature in range of 400 to 1000 °C. TiO2 phase ratio was evaluated by X-ray diffraction technique. Phase transformation of anatase to rutile phase in TiO2 powder was initially obtained by calcined sample at 600 °C. The complete rutile phase was completely occurred at calcination temperature at 800 °C. Photocatalytic activity by TiO2 photocatalysts was analyzed via the decolorization of Rhodamine B dye solution under LED white light irradiation. Anatase/Rutile composite with properly ratio in TiO2 photocatalyst calcined at 700 °C performed the highest photocatalytic activity due to the enhancement of charge transfer at mixed phase interface and the decrease of electron-hole pair recombination.