The Anatase-to-Rutile Phase Transition in Highly Oriented Nanoparticles Array of Titania with Photocatalytic Response Changes

Abstract

An array of highly oriented anatase nanoparticles was successfully prepared from NH4TiOF3 with the assistance of polyetheleneglycol-400 at 450 °C. The study showed the stability of obtained layered TiO2-anatase close to 1200 °C. This research confirmed for the first time that the transition of mesocrystalline anatase to the rutile phase occurs between 1000 °C and 1200 °C, which is more than 400 °C higher than the transition of bulk TiO2 due to the used precursor. A small quantity of K-phase nanowhiskers, which issued after 800 °C in the composite based on TiO2, stimulated a fourfold increase in photocatalytic performance. This study offers a new approach to the construction and preparation of effective nanocrystalline photocatalyst.

Keywords

• nanophotocatalyst
• mesocrystal
• anatase
• rutile
• phase transition