Preparation, Characterization, and Spectral Studies on Nanocrystalline Anatase TiO2

Fine polycrystalline, nanoparticles of pure anatase titanium dioxide (average crystallite size ~3–10 nm) with high surface area (~ 210 m2/g) have been synthesized in the pure anatase phase. Synthesized powder is characterized by DTA–TGA, FT–IR, XRD, BET surface area, SEM, TEM, and UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy. Polymer capping of the synthesized TiO2 particles showed an improved stability against agglomeration and photo-degradation. The prepared nanoparticles showed a blue shift in the absorption spectra. Bandgap energy values observed for different particle sizes are 3.167 (3 nm), 3.145 (6 nm), and 3.027 eV (39 nm) for commercial TiO2. TiO2 is encapped with eriochromcyanin dye; the nanoparticles showed a noticeable shift in the acquired color toward the blue region with the decrease in the particle size.