Synthesis of titania photocatalysts dispersed with nickel nanosized particles

Titania superfine particle photocatalysts containing dispersed nickel nanos ized particles were synthesized. The synthesis method was as follows. First , an W/O type emulsion was made with non-ion surfactant. Titania powder wit h dispersed nickel oxide or nickel hydroxide was synthesized using a soluti on of nitric acid, nickel and titanium tetra butoxide (TIB). The titania ph otocatalyst was formed by reduction caused by heat treatment under a suitab le reduction condition. Nickel nano-sized particles were distributed in the titania photocatalysts and the amount of hydrogen generated increased in p roportion to the surface area of the distributed nickel. The nickel particl es dispersed in titania photocatalysts accelerated the generation of rutile as compared to the photocatalyst without nickel. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgic a Inc.