Size-Dependent Surface Activity of Rutile and Anatase TiO2 Nanocrystals: Facile Surface Modification and Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance

The size-dependent surface activity of titania was illustrated through the formation of ultrafine nanocrystals with clean surfaces. It was demonstrated that, when the size of the nanocrystals was small enough, their surface activity could be significantly enhanced, as evidenced by the formation of transparent macroassemblies, their increased dispersity in various solvents, the facile modification of their surface by organic molecules at room temperature, their strong visible-light absorption through coordination with peroxide, and highly enhanced photocatalytic performance.