EXAMINING THE PHASE COMPOSITION OF TiO2 NANOPARTICLES DERIVED FROM SOL-GEL: IMPACT OF REACTION AND PROCESSING CONDITIONS

Abstract

TiO₂ nanoparticles with crystallite size less than 15 nm were prepared from TiCl₄ precursor by a modified sol-gel route. As-prepared TiO₂ nanoparticles were extensively characterized using X-ray diffractometry, and their crystallite size was calculated using Debye-Scherrer formula. The phase composition and crystallite size of TiO₂ nanoparticles were dependent on reaction parameters including TiCl₄ concentration, reaction temperature, annealing temperature, and surfactant. The crystallite size increases with increasing annealing temperature. Amorphous-anatase phase transition occurs at 400 - 450°C and anatase-rutile phase transition occurs at ca. 700°C.