Anatase Particles Research Articles

EPR spectroscopic characterization of neutron-irradiated nanocrystalline anatase particles

This study investigates the effects of neutron irradiation on nanocrystalline anatase (TiO₂) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Neutron irradiation doses of 1.6 × 101⁵, 8 × 101⁵, 4 × 101⁶, and 2 × 101⁷ n/cm2 were applied to TiO₂ samples, and changes in the EPR spectra were analyzed to explore the transmutation of titanium (Ti) atoms into vanadium (V). The results reveal that the irradiation induces the conversion of 50Ti to 51V via neutron capture, accompanied by the formation of oxygen and titanium vacancies. The intensity of the EPR signal decreases with increasing neutron dose, indicating that the formation of 51V isotopes and other irradiation-induced effects influence the material's paramagnetic behavior. The study provides insights into the transmutation process and highlights the potential of neutron irradiation for modifying the properties of TiO₂, with implications for photocatalytic applications and radiation-resistant materials.

Icelike water molecules with single hydrogen bond donor on the surface of nano anatase and rutile particles by IR spectroscopy

The hydration behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles was studied by molecular dynamics simulations and a novel IR ratio spectroscopy method. It was found that the hydration water at the titanium dioxide interface contains molecules with a large number of single hydrogen bond donors, and approximately five water layers were confined within the nano-grooves of the nanoparticles. The confinement effect was observed to enhance the strength of the hydrogen bonds and to slow down the movement of the water molecules around the surface of the nanoparticles.

Mechanistic Insights into Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles at the Micro- and Macro-levels.

Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been regarded as a legacy nanomaterial due to their widespread usage across multiple fields. The TiO2 NPs have been and are still extensively used as a food and cosmetic additive and in wastewater and sewage treatment, paints, and industrial catalysis as ultrafine TiO2. Recent developments in nanotechnology have catapulted it into a potent antibacterial and anticancer agent due to its excellent photocatalytic potential that generates substantial amounts of highly reactive oxygen radicals. The method of production, surface modifications, and especially size impact its toxicity in biological systems. The anatase form of TiO2 (<30 nm) has been found to exert better and more potent cytotoxicity in bacteria as well as cancer cells than other forms. However, owing to the very small size, anatase particles are able to penetrate deep tissue easily; hence, they have also been implicated in inflammatory reactions and even as a potent oncogenic substance. Additionally, TiO2 NPs have been investigated to assess their toxicity to large-scale ecosystems owing to their excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating potential compounded with widespread usage over decades. This review discusses in detail the mechanisms by which TiO2 NPs induce toxic effects on microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, as well as in cancer cells. It also attempts to shed light on how and why it is so prevalent in our lives and by what mechanisms it could potentially affect the environment on a larger scale.

One-Step-Modified Biochar by Natural Anatase for Eco-Friendly Cr (VI) Removal

The global serious pollution situation urgently needs green, efficient, and sustainable development methods to achieve heavy metal pollution control. The photocatalytic properties of anatase are sufficient to achieve pollution control by providing photoelectrons to harmful heavy metals. However, since natural anatase particles tend to agglomerate and deactivate in water, most studies have been conducted to prepare TiO2–biochar nanocomposites using chemical synthesis methods. In the present study, we utilized pyrolytic sintering to load natural anatase onto biochar to obtain natural anatase–biochar (TBC) composites. Characterization tests, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showed that anatase was uniformly partitioned into the surface and pores of biochar without destroying the lattice structure. Due to its photocatalytic properties, TBC degraded Cr (VI) by 99.63% under light conditions. This is 1.58 times higher than the dark condition. Zeta potential showed that the surface of the TBC was positively charged under acidic conditions. The charge attraction between TBC and chromium salt was involved in the efficient degradation of Cr (VI). Different sacrificial agents as well as gas purge experiments demonstrated that photoelectrons (e−) and superoxide radicals (O2−) dominated the degradation of Cr (VI). TBC has the characteristics of high efficiency, stability, and sustainability. This may provide a new idea for the preparation of photocatalytic materials and the realization of environmental protection and sustainable development through heavy metal pollution control.

The Fate of “Immobile” Ti in Hyaloclastites: An Evidence from Silica–Iron-Rich Sedimentary Rocks of the Urals Paleozoic Massive Sulfide Deposits

The formation of Paleozoic silica–iron-rich sedimentary rocks in the Urals volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits is considered a result of seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites mixed with calcareous/organic or sulfide material. These rocks host various Ti mineral phases pointing to the transformation of precursor metacolloidal TiO2 phases to disordered anatase during seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites, which was later converted to globules and clusters and further to diagenetic rutile. The LA-ICP-MS analysis showed that the Ti content of hyaloclasts partly replaced by finely dispersed Si–Fe aggregates increases to 540–2950 ppm and decreases (&lt;5 ppm) in full Si–Fe pseudomorphs after hyaloclasts. LA-ICP-MS element mapping reveals the enrichment in V, U, Cr, W, Nb, Pb, and Th of the anatase globules and the local accumulation of Zr, Y, and REE on their periphery. Corrosive biogenic textures in the outer zones of some hyaloclasts and biomorphic aggregates in rocks contain anatase particles in assemblage with apatite indicating the biophilic properties of Ti. This work fills the knowledge gaps about Ti mobilization during low-temperature seafloor alteration of hyaloclastites in VHMS deposits.

The Staged Photocatalytic Reactor in the Removal of Acetaminophen: Aspects of Adsorption and Photocatalysis.

The efficiency of a staged photocatalytic reactor prototype was evaluated on a semi-pilot scale with the removal of acetaminophen, for which anatase particles were synthesized by Sol-Gel and impregnated on rectangular plates of clay. X-ray diffraction and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence patterns show that the final composite is made up of Al2O3 (14 %), SiO2 (41 %), CaO (3 %) TiO2 (34 %), and Fe2O3 (7 %). The impregnation method favors the dispersion of Anatase on the surface of the adsorbent. TiO2-Anatase/Clay, classified as a macro-porous solid with H3-type hysteresis loops by N2 physisorption. Adsorption processes are improved when using TiO2-Anatase/Clay compared to using TiO2-Anatase. The external mass transfer has a greater influence on the removal rate. The dimensionless parameters of the Biot number indicate there are no limitations due to the diffusive effect on the interior of the particle. The evaluation of the kinetic data under the Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation shows a decrease in efficiency as the initial concentration increases. The acetaminophen molecule shows destabilization in the structure of the aromatic ring with a visible decrease in the signals of this functional group evaluated by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Raman Spectroscopy.

The challenge of cellulose nitrate-coated fabrics: molecular characterization of celluloid detachable collars and Fabrikoid

In the 19th century, significant linen and leather imitation products were invented using cellulose nitrate-coated fabrics, including celluloid detachable collars and Fabrikoid artificial leather, now preserved in the Hagley Museum and Library, USA. Using optical microscopy, µRaman, and µFourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopies, this study highlights the need for characterizing the heterogeneity of these materials at the microscale. While the detachable collars have well-preserved fabric coatings composed of cellulose nitrate, camphor, anatase (TiO2), and carbon-based particles, Fabrikoid’s pigmented cellulose nitrate-castor oil systems show problems. Our molecular data align with a 1922 report on Fabrikoid degradation, revealing free fatty acids and carboxylates formed due to oil oxidation. This is concerning as these materials were used until the 1960s, demonstrated by the analysis of objects from the National Museum of Costumes in Portugal. Future studies should address the compatibility of cellulose nitrate with fatty acids and the reactivity of additives in these systems.

Synthesis of TiO2/SBA-15 Nanocomposites by Hydrolysis of Organometallic Ti Precursors for Photocatalytic NO Abatement

The development of advanced photocatalysts for air pollution removal is essential to improve indoor air quality. TiO2/mesoporous silica SBA-15 nanocomposites were synthesized using an organometallic decoration method, which leverages the high reactivity of Ti precursors to be hydrolyzed on the surface water groups of silica supports. Both lab-made Ti(III) amidinate and commercial Ti(IV) amino precursors were utilized to react with water-rich SBA-15, obtained through a hydration process. The hydrated SBA-15 and the TiO2/SBA-15 nanocomposites were characterized using TGA, FTIR, 1H and 29Si NMR, TEM, SEM, N2 physisorption, XRD, and WAXS. This one-step TiO2 decoration method achieved a loading of up to 51.5 wt.% of approximately 9 nm anatase particles on the SBA-15 surface. This structuring provided excellent accessibility of TiO2 particles for photocatalytic applications under pollutant gas and UV-A light exposure. The combination with the high specific surface area of SBA-15 resulted in the efficient degradation of 400 ppb of NO pollutant gas. Due to synergistic effects, the best nanocomposite in this study demonstrated a NO abatement performance of 4.0% per used mg of TiO2, which is 40% more efficient than the reference photocatalytic material TiO2 P-25.

Fluorescence amplification in laser-pumped random media: Fundamental limitations

Experimental data on the narrowing of fluorescence spectra of laser-pumped random media are interpreted within the framework of a probabilistic model of incoherent amplification of the stimulated component of fluorescence. R6G- and DCM-doped layers of dense-packed anatase and anatase-rutile particles and suspensions of DCM crystallites were examined under pulse-periodic laser pumping with various pump intensities at the wavelength of 532 nm. It was shown that, in the case of quasi-stationary fluorescence response at high pump intensities, amplification of stochastically propagating partial components of fluorescence field at various wavelengths is governed by the pump-independent factor of fluorescence amplification and the average number of stimulated emission acts in the pumped system. Analysis of the experimental data has shown that, despite certain simplifying assumptions, the considered model reasonably describes evolution of the fluorescence spectra of random fluorescent media with the increase in the pump intensity. A procedure of recovery of the fluorescence amplification factor from the sets of fluorescence spectra obtained at various pump intensities is considered. Features of the spectral shapes of the recovered amplification factors caused by the influence of the scattering matrices in pumped media are discussed.

In English

Currently, textile and food industries produce a significant volume of sewages containing azo dyes and other organic pollutants. These effluents are serious environmental threats, so new methods for their treatment and the degradation of azo dyes are attracting much attention. Composite materials based on TiO2 modified by noble metals and nanoceria show high activity in the photodegradation of organic contaminates and are proposed for hydrogen synthesis as well. To optimize the treatment of contaminants, different processes can combine including the strategies of adsorption, photoluminescence, photocatalysis, etc. The synthesized TiO2-based nanomaterials (sols, powders) will be exploited for bioremediation due to their small size and surface plasmon resonance from noble metals. Binary nanocomposites based on TiO2 were obtained by the chemical co-precipitation method from solutions of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) and inorganic salts of cerium, silver, and palladium. It has been stated that TiO2 is represented by anatase with primary particle size (CSR) from 8.5 to 16.8 nm, depending on the nature and concentration of the dopant. It is shown that Ag is reduced on the surface of anatase particles and blocks their growth, while Pd and Ce penetrate the titanium dioxide matrix in the form of small clusters with the deformation of the anatase crystal lattice. Nanocomposite particles formed loose and fragile aggregates, which spontaneously dispersed in solutions of dyes with the formation of colloid-stable sols, required the use of a centrifugal field for their sedimentation. Nanoparticles of TiO2&amp;Pd were electronegative and others were electropositive according to the values 4.1÷9.6 of ZPC (zero point of charge). It was shown that the particles of all composites sorbed Methylene Blue (MB) without photocatalytic activity under the visible light to any dye. Moreover, anionic dyes such as Orange-G (Or-G) and Methyl Orange (MO) were excellently discolorated in the presence of TiO2&amp;Pd system; cationic dyes of MB and Rhodamine B (RhB) discolorated too with the TiO2, TiO2&amp;CeO2, and TiO2&amp;Ag systems under UV light action. As such, photocatalysis tests showed that Orange-G’s and MO’s discoloration was higher for TiO2&amp;Pd (2 wt. %) and TiO2 systems with the correlation coefficient R2 0.999.

Impact of Copper(II)-Imidazole Complex Modification on Polycrystalline TiO2: Insights into Formation, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Performance

Micrometer-sized polycrystalline anatase particles are widely used in materials and life sciences, serving as essential components in photocatalytic materials. The ability to tailor their composition, shape, morphology, and functionality holds significant importance. In this study, we identified and examined the non-destructive route of Copper(II) implantation at the surface of polycrystalline TiO2. The [Cu(en)(Im)2]2+ complex ion demonstrated a remarkable affinity to concentrate and bind with the semiconductor’s surface, such as anatase, forming a surface-bound adduct: ≡TiO2 + [Cu(en)(Im)2]2+ → ≡TiO2//[Cu(en)(Im)2]2+. The misalignment of Fermi levels in TiO2//[Cu(en)(Im)2]2+ triggered electron transfer, leading to the reduction of the metal center, releasing Copper(I) in the process. Although less efficient, the released Copper(I) encountered a highly favorable environment, resulting in the formation of the surface complex TiO2:CuIIsc. The implanted Cu(I) was converted back into Cu(II) due to re-oxidation by dissolved oxygen. The penetration of the metal ion into the surface level of the polycrystalline TiO2 lattice was influenced by surface residual forces, making surface grafting of the Cu(II) ion inevitable due to surface chemistry. FTIR, UV–vis, Raman, XRD, EPR, and surface morphological (SEM, EDAX, and HRTEM) analyses identified the typical surface grafting of the Cu(II) cluster complex on the anatase surface matrix. Moreover, the XRD results also showed the formation of an impure phase. The TiO2 polycrystalline materials, modified by the incorporation of copper complexes, demonstrated an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic capability in the degradation of Rhodamine B dye in aqueous solutions. This modification significantly improved the efficiency of the photocatalytic process, expanding the applicability of TiO2 to visible light wavelengths. These studies open up the possibility of using copper complexes grafted on metal oxide surfaces for visible-light active photocatalytic applications. Moreover, this investigation not only showcases the improved visible-light photocatalytic behavior of copper-modified TiO2 polycrystalline materials, but also underscores the broader implications of this improvement in the advancement of sustainable and efficient water treatment technologies.

Investigating the antibacterial activity of Thyme Oil/TiO2 modified resins against oral pathogenic bacteria

Dental composites lack inherent antimicrobial activity, leading to secondary caries and restoration failure. This study developed a novel thyme oil/TiO2 nanoparticle filler to impart sustainable antibacterial functions to dental resins. TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol-gel method and characterized as 20–30 nm crystalline anatase particles. Functionalization with thyme oil was confirmed by FTIR, with 5.8% thyme oil content measured by TGA. Resin disks containing 0.5–2 wt% thyme-TiO2 exhibited significant inhibition zones against S. mutans, L. acidophilus and C. albicans (8–12 mm) compared to thyme oil-free controls (0 mm) (p < 0.05). Thyme-TiO2 at 1–2 wt% showed sustained release of thyme oil over 15 days with bacterial viability reduction of 68–99% compared to unmodified resin (p < 0.05). Resin-dentin microtensile bond strengths were 45–50 MPa for 0.5–2 wt% thyme-TiO2 and not significantly different from control (p > 0.05). Likewise, flexural strength, elastic modulus and surface microhardness values were unchanged with thyme-TiO2 incorporation ≤ 2 wt% (p > 0.05). DPSC viability was > 90% for all resins, indicating good cytocompatibility. Overall, the thyme-TiO2 nanocomposite successfully endowed the dental resin with potent, long-lasting antibacterial effects without compromising key mechanical properties.

Crystallization of amorphous anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays.

Anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) prepared by anodization have garnered widespread attention due to their unique structure and properties. In this study, we prepared TNTAs of varying lengths by controlling the anodization time. Among them, the nanotubes anodized for 2 h have an inner diameter of approximately 92 nm and a wall thickness of approximately 12 nm. Then we subjected amorphous TNTAs prepared by the anodization method to annealing treatments, systematically analyzing the evolution of morphology and structure with varying annealing temperatures. As the annealing temperature increases, the amorphous successively undergoes transitions to the anatase phase and then to the rutile phase. During the transition to the anatase phase, the structure of the nanotube array remains intact, with the complete preservation of the tubular array structure. However, during the transition to the rutile phase, the tubular array structure is destroyed. To address why the tubular array remains undamaged during the amorphous-to-anatase transition, we subjected amorphous TNTAs to annealing at 300 °C for different durations. Raman spectroscopy was employed for fit analysis, providing insights into the evolution of the molecular structure during the anatase phase transition. Finally, TNTAs annealed at different temperatures were incorporated into lithium-ion batteries. By combining XRD for semi-quantitative phase content and anatase particle size calculations, we established a correlation between structure and electrochemical performance. The results indicate a significant improvement in electrochemical performance for an amorphous-anatase structure obtained through annealing at 300 °C, providing insights for the design of high-performance energy storage materials.

Photocatalytic destruction of organic dyes by titanium dioxide particles doped with gold

Nanocomposites based on titanium dioxide doped with gold in concentrations of 0.2 and 0.8 wt.% were obtained by the sol-gel method using titanium tetraisopropoxide and chlorauric acid. Thermal treatment of precipitates at T = 600 °C led to the formation of highly dispersed anatase powders and increasing the temperature to 1000-1200 °C contributed to the formation of well-crystallized rutile particles. The gold in the structure of the powders is heterogeneously distributed. The size of the primary particles of anatase did not exceed 10 nm, and that of rutile reached 35-46 nm, gradually increasing with increasing processing temperature. The photocatalytic properties of TiO2&amp;Au structures were studied during the decolorization of solutions of organic dyes (Methylene Blue, Rhodamine B, Methyl Orange, Orange G) with a concentration of 20 mg/dm3. The resulting structures did not show significant sorption activity, and visible light caused a slight desorption of the dyes. At the same time, under the influence of UV irradiation for 60 minutes, the decolorization process took place effectively and was subject to a pseudo-first-order reaction. The biggest photocatalytic activity was shown by the sample of anatase with a gold content of 0.8 wt.%. When it was added into the solution, the degree of decolorization of Rhodamine B reached up to 50%, Methyl Orange - up to 81.5%, Methylene Blue - up to 91%, and Orange G - up to 95.2%. Increasing the efficiency of the destruction of dyes can be achieved by supplementing the photo-catalytic process with a catalytic one.&#x0D; &#x0D; Аcknowledgements : Olena Lavrynenko is supported by the PAUSE program, a national emergency program for scientists and artists in exile, run by the Collège de France

Natural Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) juice assisted TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis for high performance dye-sensitized solar cell

Green chemistry technologies are perceived to be more straightforward, sustainable and cost-effective and therefore explored extensively in recent years. A range of natural reducing and capping agents, viz. proteins, enzymes, and phytochemicals have been used to synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles. The capping agents are vital in stabilizing nanoparticles, avoiding their over-growth and aggregation during synthesis. In this work, green synthesis of TiO2 has been carried out through the sol-gel method using Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) juice as a capping agent. The optical properties, morphology, size, and porosity of the synthesized TiO2 were characterized by UV, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and BET respectively. The XRD pattern and TEM confirmed the anatase phase and particle size, while BET revealed surface area and pore sizes. Under irradiance of 100 mWcm−2 light intensity, the photoelectric conversion efficiency using capped TiO2 sensitized with N719 dye was observed to 3.65 %, much enhanced compared to the efficiency 0.69 % observed with the un-capped TiO2. The present study successfully demonstrated that sugarcane phytochemicals have the potential to improve dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency via inducing capping during nucleation in TiO2 synthesis.

Transient photocatalytic oxidation of toluene vapor via nanostructured layers prepared by sol-gel on anatase particles

Gas-phase photocatalytic degradation of toluene mixed with wet oxygen was performed in a continuous reactor using anatase nanoparticles, home-prepared by the sol-gel method combined with peptization treatments. Titanium (IV) isopropoxide was used to synthesize amorphous titania precursor, partially transformed into crystalline nanoparticles by hydrothermal or thermal treatments. The main oxidation product was carbon dioxide, but traces of benzene and benzoic acid were also detected. In order to characterize the catalysts, the evolution of titanium (IV) alkoxide to form anatase nanoparticles was studied using 1H-MAS NMR, EPR, TPD, and FTIR techniques. The results indicate that the four coordinated Ti4+ cations of the alkoxide induce the formation of amorphous aggregates of polymeric layers. The organics removal by peptization originates thin nanostructured titania layers that cover anatase particles, forming TiO2 homojunction. Photoactivity runs showed that both toluene retention and mineralization occurred at the start of irradiation, both processes exhibiting a long transient. After different times, retention stopped while mineralization reached steady-state conditions. Hydrated proton structures are considered to be the origin of both processes. Under irradiation, water photodesorption from these structures favors both the interaction of nanostructured layers with anatase particles, determining hole transfer to external surfaces and the generation of hydrated hydronium cations which, depending on the water loss, are centers able to carry out toluene mineralization or retention. After the mineralization step, photocatalytic centers must be reconstituted by recovering water, a process whose rate becomes the rate-determining one.

Bottom up anatase monodisperse nanoparticles grown on sepiolite showing high thermal stability and optimal optical properties for self-cleaning applications

Powder samples of anatase monodisperse nanoparticles (np's) have been in-situ synthesized from sepiolite microparticles doped with TiIV. The role of this clay is double, by one hand, it acts as a chemical reactor, and on the other hand, it becomes a solid substrate for particles, which pin them up avoiding Ostwald ripening process on heating. In this work we show the high thermal stability of these metastable anatase particles up to 850 °C, around 200 °C above the anatase/rutile transformation for ordinary powder particles. Relevant information about the electron bandstructure has been obtained both, by optical diffuse reflectance and emission spectroscopy, which revealed the nature of photon absorption and recombination around the band-gap which determine the utility of this materials as a self-cleaning agent for solid materials.

Infrared spectroscopy of nanocrystalline anatase (TiO2) particles under the neutron irradiation

Bands structure of nanocrystalline anatase (TiO2) particles was investigated before and after neutron irradiation (1.6 × 1015n·cm−2, 8 × 1015n·cm−2, 4 × 1016n·cm−2 and 2 × 1017n·cm−2) using FTIR spectroscopy. The peaks expressing Ti – O and Ti – O – Ti stretching oscillations before and after neutron irradiation were explained with appropriate wavenumber in the infrared (IR) absorption spectra. The new peaks observed in the IR spectra as a result of neutron transmutations were analyzed with V – O or V – O – H deformation oscillations of the newly formed V isotope. Simultaneously, deformation vibration of the TiO6 octahedron were detected on the nanoparticle surface. Moreover, the effect of neutron irradiation on the surface activity of anatase nanoparticles and amorphization processes in nanocrystals were explained by their corresponding IR spectra.

Unraveling a novel microwave strategy to fabricate exposed {001}/{101} facets anatase nanocrystals: Potential for use to the elimination of environmentally toxic metronidazole waste

This study present a novel microwave strategy to fabricate highly active anatase particles, exposing {101} and {001} facets. Microwave treatment time was shown to determine the growth of crystals in a certain direction. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report revealing that the contact time of TiO2 crystals with fluorine ions during the microwave process affects the formed morphology, in particular exposed facets ratio. The important element of this study was a parallel approach to produce active photocatalysts and a convenient UV-LED light source. The simultaneous use of synthesized anatase nanocrystals with exposed {001}/{101} facets and tailor-made LED photoreactor led to the enhanced elimination of metronidazole. Photocatalytic studies showed greater activity in the elimination of metronidazole with increasing microwave exposure time, which was associated with the presence of the surface heterojunction {001}/{101}, leading to better separation of charge carriers.

Novel Sol-Gel Synthesis of TiO2 Spherical Porous Nanoparticles Assemblies with Photocatalytic Activity.

For this study, the synthesis of TiO2 nanomaterials was performed via a novel sol-gel method employing titanium butoxide as a metal precursor, Pluronic F127 as a templating agent, toluene as a swelling agent, and acidic water or ethanol as the reaction solvents. The method was designed by tailoring certain reaction parameters, such as the sequence of toluene addition, magnetic stirring, the type of reaction solvent, and the calcination conditions. Analysis of the specific surface area and porosity was carried out via N2 physisorption, whereas the morphological features of the solids were investigated via transmission electron microscopy. The crystalline structure of both the dried powders and the calcined materials was evaluated using X-ray diffraction analysis. It transpired that the different phase compositions of the solids are related to the specific synthesis medium employed. Under the adopted reaction conditions, ethanol, which was used as a reaction solvent, promoted the local arrangement of dispersed anatase particles, the specific arrangement of which does not lead to rutile transformation. Conversely, the use of water alone supported high-particle packing, evolving into a rutile phase. The photodegradation of Rhodamine B was used as a target reaction for testing the photocatalytic activity of the selected samples.