Preparation of the Size-Controlled TiO2 with Spherical Morphology

Spherical Titania (TiO2) with narrow size distribution and nice dispersibility was obtained by hydrolysis in the mixed solvent of 1-propanol and de-ionized water from titanium sulfate (Ti(SO4)(2)). Parameters like surfactant, precursor concentration, calcination temperature, and calcination time were investigated. The results showed that high quality TiO2 could be synthesized using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as surfactant when the volume ratio of 1-propanol to de-ionized water was 1:1 at 70-90 degrees C. And the optimal surfactant concentration had an important impact on the size distribution and dispersibility. The products were characterized by TG-DSC, SEM, and XRD. The results displayed that. the size and size distribution of the particles were affected by the surfactant concentration and the precursor concentration. However, phase transformation of TiO2 was mainly determined by calcination temperature and time. And a LaMer model was introduced to explain the nucleation and growth of the TiO2 particles.