Preparation of high surface area TiO2 (anatase) by thermal hydrolysis of titanyl sulphate solution

Highly crystalline, ultra fine TiO2 (anatase) having high surface area has been prepared by thermal hydrolysis of titanyl sulphate solution and characterized using B.E.T surface area measurements, XRD and chemical analysis. The dependence of surface area on concentration of staffing solution, temperature of hydrolysis, duration of boiling, and calcination temperature were also studied. As the boiling temperature, duration of boiling and calcination temperature increased, the surface area of TiO2 formed decreased significantly. On increasing calcination temperature, the crystallite size of TiO2 also increased and gradually the phase transformation to rutile took place. The onset and completion temperatures of rutilation were 700 and 1000 degreesC, respectively. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.