Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles in pure 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate room temperature ionic liquid and investigation of its photocatalytic properties

TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by modified sol—gel method using pure room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate as a reaction medium. The structure and morphology of TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), BET surface analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized in open and closed vessels. The TiO2 nanoparticles prepared in open vessel present only anatase crystal phase after calcination at 500°C but the TiO2 prepared in closed vessel presents anatase and rutile phases after calcination at 500°C. The photocatalytic efficiency decreases with increasing of ethanol and water as molecular solvent in preparation step of nanoparticles. The degradation percent can reach over 97% at the optimal catalyst concentration (2.0 g/L) in 120 minutes irradiation.