Nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 prepared via a facile low temperature route

Abstract: Nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 was prepared by a facile sol–gel route at a temperature of 65°C under mild conditions. Tetrabutyl titanate was used as a titanium precursor, glacial acetic acid was used as an inhibitor, and anhydrous ethanol was used as a solvent. XRD, TEM, FT-IR and XPS spectra were applied to characterize the crystal phase, microstructure, and other physicochemical properties of the nanoanatase TiO2. The results showed that as prepared ellipse-shaped anatase TiO2 with an average diameter of 7nm, which is rich in surface hydroxyl groups, was found to exhibit high dispersibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]