Articles
  • Effect of acid during synthesis on the agglomerated strength of TiO2 nanoparticles
  • Sarayut Termnaka, Wannapong Triampob and Darapond Triampoa,c,*
  • a Department of Chemistry, Capability Building Research Unit for Alternative Energy, Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rajchataywee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand b R&D Group of Biological and Environmental Physics (BIOPHYSICS), Center of Excellence for Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University,Rama 6 Rd., Rajchataywee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand c Institute for Innovation and Development of Learning Process, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Rd., Rajchataywee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2 or titania) photocatalyst nanoparticle (NPs) powders were prepared. The synthesis steps were performed at room temperature. Based on X-ray diffraction evidence, it was found that only the anatase structure was formed when hydrochloric acid was added during the synthesis. With no acid, both anatase and brookite structures were formed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the primary particles from both the acid and no-acid routes were of approximately the same size. A particle-size analyzer equipped with an ultrasonic generator showed, however, that the aggregates of acid NPs were more difficult to break apart than those of the no-acid NPs. Gel formation was used to explain the difference in strength by which the NPs aggregated.

Keywords: Nanoparticles, Titanium dioxide(TiO2), Aggregate, Agglomerate, Acidicity.

This Article

  • 2009; 10(4): 491-496

    Published on Aug 31, 2009