Photocatalytic Activity of Bare and Amine-Treated TiO2 Nanoparticles

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe capability of tuning the functional properties of nanosize TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) by suitable control of surface chemistry, phase stability and crystal size plays a key role on their safe use and enhanced efficacy in actual and envisioned applications, including nanomedicine, environmental remediation, and food safety, among others. On this basis, any attempt to develop a size-controlled synthesis method and an efficient surface treatment protocol becomes indispensable. Accordingly, we have synthesized TiO2 NPs via a modified aqueous processing route using HNO3 as a catalyst and polyvinylpyrrolidone as particle size controller and a dispersing agent. The NPs surface was treated by using Ethylenediamine (EDA) as a source for amine species. Bare and amine-treated TiO2 NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 NPs was assessed by irradiating an aqueous solution of Methylene Blue (MB) dye containing different amounts of the NPs. XRD analyses evidenced the formation of two phases of crystalline TiO2 with an average crystallite size estimated at 15.3 nm. Bare and amine-treated TiO2 NPs exhibited significant activity under UV light illumination (365 nm). Bare NPs exhibited a dye photo degradation capability of about 38.02% with particle concentration of 0.5 g/l while amine-treated NPs reported 66.18% dye photo degradation capability with particle concentration of 0.5 g/l.