Synthesis Of TiO2 Nanoparticles Research Articles

One–pot green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Inula Viscosa leaf extract as an efficient photocatalyst for organic dyes removal

One–pot green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Inula Viscosa leaf extract as an efficient photocatalyst for organic dyes removal

Synthesis mechanism of TiO2 nanoparticles via high frequency electrical arc discharge

Abstract The rapid advancement of nanofabrication techniques has significantly increased the utilization of nanoparticles in recent years. This study investigates the synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, highlighting their unique properties and diverse applications across scientific and industrial fields. These nanoparticles are valued for their biocompatibility and advantageous optical, electrical, and physical properties. Various synthesis methods—chemical, physical, and biological—are reviewed, with a particular focus on the electric arc discharge method. This method is distinguished by its efficiency and environmental friendliness, enabling the production of highly pure nanoparticles. Utilizing continuous and alternating sparks between two electrodes, the technique generates spherical nanoparticles with adjustable sizes, controlled by the energy of each spark. An RC circuit-based device was designed for this electrical discharge process. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed an average particle size of 164.51 nm with a standard deviation of 44.08 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed both solid and hollow spherical TiO2 nanoparticles. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed that the TiO2 particles contained only titanium and oxygen, with no other elements detected. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the crystal structure, predominantly identifying the anatase phase of the synthesized nanoparticles. This research enhances the understanding of TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, providing a foundation for future innovations in their extensive applications.

Eco-Friendly Photocatalytic Solutions: Synthesized TiO2 Nanoparticles in Cellulose Membranes for Enhanced Degradation of Indigo Carmine Dye.

This study focuses on comparing the efficiency of commercially available TiO2 (P25) with synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2NP) impregnated in nonmodified cellulose membranes, specifically targeting the degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) dye. We developed a novel method to enhance the interaction between cellulose and TiO2, thereby improving efficiency and reusability. This involves dissolving microcrystalline cellulose in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMImCl) and dispersing the TiO2 samples within this solution. The resulting cellulose membrane embedded with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2NP) exhibited a higher adsorption capacity and greater photocatalytic efficiency against IC compared to that of P25. This improvement is attributed to the larger surface area and increased reactivity of the synthesized TiO2NPs. Furthermore, the CEL_TiO2NP membranes demonstrated excellent stability and reusability, maintaining their catalytic efficiency over multiple cycles. This study presents new opportunities for developing efficient, reusable photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation using eco-friendly cellulose.

Antimicrobial effect of green synthesized TiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles against Cercospora canesces growth in mung bean

Mung bean is one of the economically important leguminous crops generally grown in arid region of Pakistan. Mung bean grows best at 30-35℃ and is a nutrient enriched crop with higher amounts of starch (50%), proteins (18-25%), fat (3%) and fiber (3-4.5%). Many biotic factors affect crop production. Yield losses due to biotic factors are up to 40-80% in mung bean. Cercospora leaf spot (CLS) is very common disease in mung bean caused by hemi-biotrophic fungal pathogen Cercospora canescens. For sustainable agrocontrol there is need to develop alternative solutions for conventional methods. Green synthesized nanoparticles offer promising solution to mitigate adverse effect of agrochemicals and fungicides. In this review green synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles used to mitigate the disease severity by seed priming with 50mgL-1 and 150mgL-1 nanoparticles (NPs) suspension solution in mung bean. The result shows that 50mgL-1 Tio2-NPs inhibit fungal growth by 87.85% in in vitro and 74.07% in in vivo experiment. Tio2-NPs application improve root, shoot, leaf surface area, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and boost plant immunity by enhancing expression of the Pathogenesis-related (PR-1) gene in response stress. Therefore, present study indicates that green synthesized Tio2-NPs is an effective way to enhance the growth and productivity of mung bean by inhibiting C. canescens.

Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Echinops echinatus plant extract and its potential applications for photocatalytic dye degradation, 4-nitrophenol reduction, and antimicrobial activity

Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using Echinops echinatus plant extract and its potential applications for photocatalytic dye degradation, 4-nitrophenol reduction, and antimicrobial activity

Advancing environmental remediation through tailored TiO2 nanomaterials in water and air purification

This study investigates the green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles at varying concentrations (0 %, 0.1 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, and 10 %) using Viola betonicifolia plant extract, focusing on their application in environmental purification, specifically in water and air decontamination. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the anatase crystal structure of TiO2 nanoparticles, with an average crystallite size of approximately 22 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a median diameter of around 22 nm, corroborating the findings from XRD. The effectiveness of these TiO2 nanomaterials was evaluated through bench-scale models simulating real-world conditions, targeting a broad range of pollutants, including heavy metals, organic dyes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microbial pathogens. Advanced analytical techniques such as High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and microbial plate count methods quantified the pollutant removal efficiency, demonstrating the significant potential of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 22 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) below 0.1, indicating a uniform size distribution. The FTIR spectrum revealed a broad absorption band at 3400 cm−1, corresponding to O–H stretching vibrations, indicative of hydroxyl groups crucial for the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The UV–visible spectroscopy indicated a maximum absorption at 642 nm, associated with the п-п* transition. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation achieved a degradation efficiency of 94 % after 120 min, underscoring the superior efficiency of the green synthesis method.

Effect of post-annealing treatment on structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanoparticles prepared via pulsed laser ablation in liquid

Ultrasmall TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized through pulsed laser ablation of a metal titanium target in liquid followed by thermal annealing treatment. The impact of post-annealing treatment on the structural, morphological, optical properties, and the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles have been investigated through a variety of analytical techniques, including X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible diffusion reflectance spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results reveal that annealing temperature significantly improved the crystallinity of laser ablated TiO2 nanoparticles and modified the chemical states of surface elements. Defects introduced by laser ablation, which serve as electron traps, combined with enhanced crystallinity resulting from thermal annealing, have improved the photocatalytic degradation performance of TiO2 nanoparticles. Specifically, TiO2 nanoparticles annealed at 300 ℃ exhibited optimal photocatalytic performance in decomposition of model dye under the irradiation from xenon lamp, demonstrating the critical role of annealing in improving photocatalytic properties. This study not only broadens the comprehension of the impact of post-treatment on the characteristics of laser-ablated TiO2 nanoparticles nanoparticles but also highlights their potential for effective wastewater remediation.

Combine Improvement for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye Sensitized-Solar Cells (DSSC) represent a third-generation solar cell technology based on photoelectrochemical principles. This study explores the use of Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) extract as an organic dye for DSSCs, focusing on its ability to absorb sunlight effectively. Excitation of electrons triggered by light in photocatalysis is strongly influenced by the position of the band gap. To be effective as a photocatalyst, the material must have a conduction band with a high positive potential compared to the electron accepting potential. Doping metal oxides such as CuO, MgO, Fe2O3, and ZnO into TiO2 can change the band edge properties or surface states which can increase light absorption. This research presents the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles as photoanodes doped using metal oxides to evaluate characteristic that can influence DSSC performance. TiO2 nanoparticles doped with metal oxide were synthesized using the solvothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and UV-Vis. Comprehensive analysis of samples doped with metal oxides significantly affects the crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and optical properties of the material. The results showed that Cu-doped TiO2 samples allowed for the most significant performance improvement in DSSC, followed by Fe-doped TiO2, Mg-doped TiO2, and Zn-doped TiO2, with pure TiO2 having the lowest performance potential. These results provide important insights into material optimization to improve DSSC efficiency.

­Two-Stage Hydrothermal Synthesis of TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotubes with Variations of TiO<sub>2</sub>/NaOH Molar Ratio

TiO2 nanomaterial is a semiconductor material that exhibits promising photocatalysis activity. TiO2 nanomaterials can be converted into several forms, including TiO2 nanotubes, which have a larger surface area and more applications. In this study, TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized hydrothermally using TiO2 micro powder precursors. The synthesis involved two hydrothermal stages: the first to synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles from TiO2 micro powder precursors, and the second to synthesize TiO2 nanotubes from TiO2 nanoparticle precursors. TiO2 micro powder was added to the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by hydrothermal at mole ratios of TiO2/NaOH of 0.01, 0.025, and 0.04, respectively. The TiO2 nanoparticles obtained exhibit a morphology in the form of short fibers, with particle sizes increasing as the mole ratios are added. Furthermore, they possess an anatase crystal structure at all mole ratios of TiO2/NaOH. Subsequently, the TiO2 nanoparticles are calcined at 450°C. The results of the TiO2 nanoparticle calcination show that the morphology is in the form of short fibers, which are smaller than those of the uncalcinated sample. The calcinated sample also has larger particle sizes and an anatase crystal structure, compared to the uncalcinated sample. The TiO2 nanotubes obtained exhibit an elongated tube morphology with outer diameters ranging from 3.93 to 11.44 nm, inner diameters ranging from 2.5 to 4.25 nm, and a wall thickness of 1.09 to 3.4 nm. The surface area of the TiO2 nanotubes is 256.744 m2/g.

Solvent-free synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles embedded MWCNTs with enhanced photocatalytic activity for bacterial disinfection

Sustainable energy has been widely researched to address issues caused by population growth and rapid industrialization. Among them, photocatalysis using solar energy has been considered promising. We developed a hybrid photocatalyst by combining titanium dioxide (TiO2) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), known for their excellent adsorption performance. A unique structure encapsulating TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) within the inner space of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed via a facile, solvent-free method, conforming to green chemistry principles. Except purification and modification of the CNTs, the particle formation process is solvent-free, making this method remarkably simple and environmentally friendly. This arrangement enhances stability and recyclability, maintaining over 90 % efficiency up to the 3rd cycle. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that the TiO2 NPs exhibited a crystalline phase, forming exclusively anatase. The defects in the outer walls of the MWCNTs in the composite, coupled with their large specific surface area and dangling bonds, endow them with high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity when combined with TiO2 NPs. The MWCNTs@TiO2 composites achieved over 99 % inactivation of Escherichia coli in 60 min and bacteriophage MS2 in 30 min, along with dye adsorption/decomposition. This method offers a distinctive platform for photocatalytic degradation in biological applications and water treatment.

TiO2 nanoparticles: Green synthesis and their role in lessening the damage of Colletotrichum graminicola in sorghum.

Fungal pathogens pose a persistent threat to crop plants, risking global food security. Anthracnose of sorghum caused by Colletotrichum graminicola causes a considerable loss in sorghum production. This study aimed to manage the anthracnose disease in sorghum using green-synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles using pomegranate peel and to assess their impacts on the agroeconomic attributes of sorghum. Synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles showed strong dose-dependent antifungal activity against C. graminicola and significantly reduced mycelial radial growth, comparable to commercial fungicides. Foliar application of TiO2 at concentrations of 150 and 200 ppm reduced the disease index >60% in pot trials. Additionally, the effect of TiO2 NPs on the growth and yield of sorghum plants and the possible mechanism(s) behind the suppression of anthracnose disease were deciphered. TiO2 NPs also improved shoot and root length, biomass accumulation, penile size, number of grains, and grain weight in sorghum plants infected with C. graminicola. Application of TiO2 NPs significantly increased the content of defense-related biochemicals, including total phenolic contents, activities of defense-related enzymes (PO, PPO, and PAL), photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll contents and carotenoids), and total protein contents. Collectively, our study verified the potential of green-synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles to suppress anthracnose disease by activating a defense system and stimulating growth and yield promotion under pathogen stress.

Targeted materials discovery using Bayesian algorithm execution

Rapid discovery and synthesis of future materials requires intelligent data acquisition strategies to navigate large design spaces. A popular strategy is Bayesian optimization, which aims to find candidates that maximize material properties; however, materials design often requires finding specific subsets of the design space which meet more complex or specialized goals. We present a framework that captures experimental goals through straightforward user-defined filtering algorithms. These algorithms are automatically translated into one of three intelligent, parameter-free, sequential data collection strategies (SwitchBAX, InfoBAX, and MeanBAX), bypassing the time-consuming and difficult process of task-specific acquisition function design. Our framework is tailored for typical discrete search spaces involving multiple measured physical properties and short time-horizon decision making. We demonstrate this approach on datasets for TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis and magnetic materials characterization, and show that our methods are significantly more efficient than state-of-the-art approaches. Overall, our framework provides a practical solution for navigating the complexities of materials design, and helps lay groundwork for the accelerated development of advanced materials.

Fabrication of TiO2 Nanoparticle Coating on Stainless Steel 316L and Its Assessment for Orthopaedic Applications

The study aims to investigate the efficacy of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle coating on stainless steel 316L (SS 316L) orthopaedic implants to enhance their biocompatibility, osseointegration, and durability. The TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via the hydrothermal method and extensively characterized for composition, crystallinity, and morphology using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), corroborated by elemental mapping. SEM and XRD analyses revealed the synthesized nanoparticles have a spherical shape and an average size of approximately 23 nanometres. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly coated on SS 316L substrates using the spin coating technique, as confirmed by SEM images. Cell viability of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles, as well as uncoated and TiO2 nanoparticle-coated SS 316L substrates, was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against the NIH-3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line. The results demonstrated that the TiO2 nanoparticle-coated SS 316L substrate showed a significant increase of 22.87% in cell viability as compared to the uncoated SS 316L substrate. A ball-on-disc tribometer was employed to assess wear and friction resistance at various speeds, viz., 150 rpm, 300 rpm, and 450 rpm, under 30N load conditions for five minutes. The results collectively indicate a substantial improvement in the performance of TiO2 nanoparticle-coated SS 316L substrates for orthopaedic applications.

Utilization of torrefied date stones with synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles for promoting humidity sensing of PVA/PVP nanocomposites for smart food packaging and biomedical applications

Fabricating smart and active packaging films with affordable cost has become the first demand for serving to market needs, particularly after COVID-19 disaster, for ensuring food security. Therefore, the broader goal of this work was to improve intelligent and active packaging films having humidity-sensing and antibacterial properties for biodegradable poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)/Polyvinylidene (PVP) reinforced with torrefied date stones (DS) and lethal amounts of TiO2 nanoparticles by a solvent-casting approach. Various concentrations of TiO2 NPs (i.e. 0.05, 0.15, and 0.30 %) in presence of 10 % torrefied DS (biochar) as a fixed content were used to fabricate PVA/PVP nanocomposite films. FT-IR spectra were utilized to monitor the DS functional groups before and after torrefaction at 270 °C. The crystal structure of synthesized TiO2 NPs as well as its impact on the PVA/PVP nanocomposites were verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD micrographs and FT-IR spectra-based biofilms showcased that the degree of crystallinity and dispersibility of filler in the blend matrix were promoted, when the nanoparticles added. This was evidenced by SEM images. Mechanical testing also manifested that a great improvement in the tensile properties were noticed, especially at 0.30 % NPs and found the tensile strength reached ∼33 MPa compared to PVA/PVP blank (∼23.70 MPa) or PVA/PVP-BC (∼18.20 MPa). The humidity sensing properties were performed over a wide span of relative humidity from (11–97 % RH) and frequency (50 Hz-10 kHz). The data manifested that 100 Hz was the optimum testing frequency. Moreover, the gotten findings from humidity-sensing tests at 100 Hz exhibited that the sensor containing 0.15 % TiO2 NPs had higher sensitivity and could be considered as a nano-sensor for smart food packaging. Furthermore, the impact of TiO2 NPs on antibacterial activity was investigated to probably use these films in active packaging with prolonged shelf-life of food products and other promising applications including biological area.

Synthesis and characterization of black hydrogenated TiO2-rGO nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this research, TiO2-GO composites were prepared by combination process included sol-gel for synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles and afterward loaded GO on TiO2 (NPs) with hydrothermal treatment in ethanol/water medium. The black TiO2–H nanoparticles and TiO2-rGO-H nanocomposites were prepared through simple thermal hydrogen treatment at 600 °C for 3 h. The synthesized nanoparticles and the composite catalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, FTIR analyzes and the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area measurement. The results revealed that synthesized TiO2 nanopowder was almost anatase phase with high crystallinity when coupled with GO leads to a decrease in the size of the crystallites by creation of smaller TiO2 clusters in result of enhanced dispersion of TiO2 on GO sheets. However, adding up GO has slightly improved optical properties of the photocatalyst samples. Compared with TiO2-GO composites, the high temperature (600 °C) hydrogenation produced anatase/rutile black TiO2-rGO nanocomposites enhanced hydrogen production rate 9 orders of magnitude higher than those observed for TiO2 powders, reached values of more than 368 μ mol g− 1 h – 1. A significant reduction in the energy band gap of 2.72 eV (DRS results) and also decreasing the electron-hole recombination according to PL spectra results has been recorded for TiO2-rGO-H nanocomposite. In addition, the black TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2-rGO nanocomposites possessed much more concentration of oxygen vacancies and carrier concentration according to Raman analysis.

Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized via Microwave Assistance on Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin.

In this study, the optimal microwave-assisted sol-gel synthesis parameters for achieving TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area and photocatalytic activity were determined. Titanium isopropoxide was used as a precursor to prepare the sol (colloidal solution) of TiO2. Isopropanol was used as a solvent; acetylacetone was used as a complexation moderator; and nitric acid was used as a catalyst. Four samples of titanium dioxide were synthesized from the prepared colloidal solution in a microwave reactor at a temperature of 150 °C for 30 min and at a temperature of 200 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min. The phase composition of the TiO2 samples was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms were used to determine the specific surface area and pore size distributions using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The band-gap energy values of the TiO2 samples were determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The distribution of Ti and O in the TiO2 samples was determined by SEM-EDS analysis. The effects of adsorption and photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2 samples were evaluated by the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) as an emerging organic pollutant (EOP) under UV-A light (365 nm). The results of the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were compared to the benchmark Degussa P25 TiO2. Kinetic parameters of adsorption and photocatalysis were determined and analyzed. It was found that crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles with the highest specific surface area, the lowest energy band gap, and the highest photocatalytic degradation were the samples synthesized at 200 °C for 10 min. The results indicate that CIP degradation by all TiO2 samples prepared at 200 °C show a synergistic effect of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation in the removal process.

Synthesis and characterization of Spirulina-mediated titanium dioxide nanoparticles: Antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria

Nanotechnology, particularly the use of nanoparticles, has garnered significant interest due to their unique properties and diverse applications, notably in antimicrobial research. This study focuses on the synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles mediated by Spirulina using green synthesis methods and explores their antibacterial effectiveness against multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aeruginosa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. The synthesis process involved the reduction of a titanium precursor using Spirulina biomass extract. Various characterization techniques, such as UV analysis, SEM imaging, FTIR spectroscopy, EDX analysis, and XRD, were employed to assess the physicochemical properties of the synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles. Results showed a prominent absorbance peak at 322 nm and a band gap energy of 3.850 eV. SEM imaging revealed spherical morphology with aggregation, while XRD analysis indicated 61.4 % crystallinity with anatase phase. FTIR spectroscopy identified functional groups present in the nanoparticles, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of titanium and oxygen elements. The antibacterial efficacy of Spirulina-mediated TiO2 nanoparticles was evaluated using the Agar well diffusion method against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The nanoparticles exhibited significant inhibitory zones of 22 ±3, 17±4, 11±2, and 15±3 nm at 80 μg/ml against MRSA, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and E. faecalis, respectively. Minimal microbial inhibition was observed at concentrations of 3.906, 15.625, 15.625, and 31.25 μg/ml for MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were found to be 7.812, 31.25, 31.25, and 62.5 μg/ml for the respective bacteria. This study highlights the effectiveness of Spirulina-mediated TiO2 nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in a bactericidal mode of action. Further research is warranted to investigate the molecular interactions between TiO2 nanoparticles and multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using aqueous extract of the bark of Ficus religiosa and investigation of their role in antibacterial activity

Green synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using aqueous extract of the bark of Ficus religiosa and investigation of their role in antibacterial activity

Characterization of the structure, morphology, and optical properties of titanium dioxide thin film deposited by spray pyrolysis technique for self-cleaning glass

Abstract The research in material science has actively pursued the creation of self-cleaning materials, especially for windows. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is considered a promising substance for developing hydrophilic self-cleaning surfaces due to its photocatalytic activity. In this research, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using TiCl3 as the precursor and co-precipitation as the experimental method in order to obtain anatase phase. The nanoparticles, then, was deposited by spray pyrolysis technique with different spraying time; 1, 2, 3, and 4 minutes and different types of TiO2 nanoparticles—synthesis and commercial—as the primary variations. TiO2 thin film was formed using ethyl cellulose as binder and isopropyl alcohol as solvent. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles and deposited thin film were, then, characterized using XRD, Maud software, UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, optical microscope, and SEM. The higher band gap energy value of TiO2 thin films was obtained with the average of 3.746 eV and 3.744 eV for TI(S) and TI(C), respectively, as a result of ethyl cellulose composition on the thin film. The thin film was categorized as hydrophilic.

Innovative microwave in situ approach for crystallizing TiO2 nanoparticles with enhanced activity in photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications

This investigation introduces an innovative approach to microwave-assisted crystallization of titania nanoparticles, leveraging an in situ process to expedite anatase crystallization during microwave treatment. Notably, this technique enables the attainment of crystalline material at temperatures below 100 °C. The physicochemical properties, including crystallinity, morphology, and textural properties, of the synthesized TiO2 nanomaterials show a clear dependence on the microwave crystallization temperature. The presented microwave crystallization methodology is environmentally sustainable, owing to heightened energy efficiency and remarkably brief processing durations. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit significant effectiveness in removing formic acid, confirming their practical utility. The highest efficiency of formic acid photodegradation was demonstrated by the T_200 material, reaching almost 100% efficiency after 30 min of irradiation. Furthermore, these materials find impactful application in dye-sensitized solar cells, illustrating a secondary avenue for the utilization of the synthesized nanomaterials. Photovoltaic characterization of assembled DSSC devices reveals that the T_100 material, synthesized at a higher temperature, exhibits the highest photoconversion efficiency attributed to its outstanding photocurrent density. This study underscores the critical importance of environmental sustainability in the realm of materials science, highlighting that through judicious management of the synthesis method, it becomes feasible to advance towards the creation of multifunctional materials.