Rapid Synthesis of Nanostructured Pure Anatase TiO2 with High Thermal Stability by Polymeric Sol-Gel Route

The nanostructured anatase TiO2 with high thermal stability was prepared by polymeric sol-gel method without any additives. The particle size distribution of polymeric titania sol was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The properties of prepared titania were investigated by TG-DTA, XRD, FESEM and TEM. The decolorization capability of resultant anatase was also evaluated using methyl orange photodegradation in aqueous solution by UV–visible spectrophotometer. The results of DLS showed the particle size distribution of the polymeric sol is in the range of 0.5-2 and 1-3 nm after 1 and 50 days, respectively. Titania prepared by polymeric method showed high thermal stability against phase transformation from anatase to rutile. Also, crystallite size of anatase calcined at 400-750 °C was in the range of 10-50 nm. The prepared nanostructured anatase showed an acceptable decolorization capability for methyl orange degradation.