Size dependency of nanocrystalline TiO2 on its optical property and photocatalytic reactivity exemplified by 2-chlorophenol

Abstract

Anatase TiO2 nanocrystallines (17–29nm) were successfully synthesized by the metal–organic chemical vapor deposition method (MOCVD). Moderate manipulation of system parameters of MOCVD can control the particle size. The electro-optical and photocatalytic properties of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were studied along with several commercially available ultra-fine TiO2 particles (e.g., 3.8–5.7nm). The band gap of the TiO2 crystallines was determined using the transformed diffuse reflectance technique according to the Kubelka–Munk theory. Results showed that the band gap of TiO2 monotonically decreased from 3.239 to 3.173eV when the particle size decreased from 29 to 17nm and then increased from 3.173 to 3.289eV as the particle size decreased from 17 to 3.8nm. The results of band gap change as a function of particle size agreed well with what was predicted by the Brus’ equation, i.e., the effective mass model (EMM). However, results of the photocatalytic oxidation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), showed that the smaller the particle size, the faster the degradation rate. This is attributed in part to the combined effect of band gap change relative to the spectrum of the light source and the specific surface area (or particle size) of the photocatalysts. The change of band gap due to particle size represents only a small optical absorption window with respect to the total spectrum of the light source, i.e., from 380 to 400nm versus >280nm. Consequently, the gain in optical property of the larger particles was severely compromised by their decrease in specific surface area. Our results clearly indicated the importance of specific surface area in controlling the photocatalytic reactivity of photocatalysts. Results also showed that the secondary particle size grew with time due mainly to particle aggregation. The photocatalytic rate constants decreased exponentially with increase in primary particle size. Primary particle size alone is able to predict the photocatalytic rate as it is closely related to the electro-optical properties of photocatalysts.