Preparation, characterization, and spectral studies on nanocrystalline anatase TiO2

Fine polycrystalline, nanoparticles of pure anatase titanium dioxide (avera ge crystallite size similar to3-10 nm) with high surface area (similar to 2 11 m(2)/g) have been synthesized in the pure anatase phase. Synthesized pow der is characterized by DTA-TGA, FT-IR, XRD, BET surface area, SEM, TEM, an d UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy. Polymer capping of the synthesized Ti O2 particles showed an improved stability against agglomeration and photo-d egradation. The prepared nanoparticles showed a blue shift in the absorptio n spectra. Bandgap energy values observed for different particle sizes are 3.167 (3 nm), 3.145 (6 nm), and 3.027 eV (39 nm) for commercial TiO2. TiO2 is encapped with eriochromcyanin dye; the nanoparticles showed a noticeable shift in the acquired color toward the blue region with the decrease in th e particle size. (C) 2001 Academic Press.