Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide synthesized by sol–gel and solution combustion techniques

Abstract

Nano-sized titanium dioxide is renowned for its prominent photocatalytic properties. Various synthesis techniques have been successfully employed in production of nano-titanium dioxide. Some of the techniques require expensive initial reagents as well as extensive preparation time. A rapid, simple and cost-effective technique capable of producing high quality nano-particles is highly desirable. This study, therefore, aims at examining effects of synthesis techniques and initial reagents on chemical compositions and particle sizes of titanium dioxide. A solution combustion technique as well as a sol–gel method using Titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) and submicrometer-sized titanium dioxide as initial reagents were employed as synthesis techniques. Experimental results indicated that all synthesized powders contained pure anatase titanium dioxide. Average particle sizes of powders prepared by the solution combustion technique from TTIP and submicrometer-sized titanium dioxide were 44 and 77nm whereas, powder sizes prepared by the sol–gel method averaged at 48 and 85nm respectively.