Optical and photocatalytic application of hydrothermally synthesized crystalline TiO2 nanostructures

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, the hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures was analyzed for their structural, morphological, elemental, and optical Properties. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirms a highly crystalline nature and reveals that the TiO2 nanocrystals crystallize in the body‐centered tetragonal phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results show that all the samples are composed of microspheres that are formed from the agglomeration of smaller nanoparticles. The size of the microspheres varies from sample to sample and has a direct relation to the volume of the precursors used. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) shows that the synthesized materials are in good stoichiometry with uniform distribution of the constituents throughout the sample. Fourier transform infrared spectrum of different samples showed a 100% transmittance peak in the 500 to 1000 cm−1 region. Ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectroscopy shows that the material has a good absorption in the visible region and is suitable for photocatalysis. The bandgap of the samples was determined by using the Tauc plot. The synthesized material was used for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl red (MR), a hazardous dye. The 95% degradation of MR occurred in the presence of UV light.