In-situ anatase flake crystals prepared by sol-gel method at low temperature

TiO2 sol with photocatalytic property was prepared through sol-gel method, using Ti(OC4H9)(4), H2O, C2H5OH and HCl reaction system with mol ratio 1:185:10:0.1. X Ray Diffraction results of powders, getting from drying the sol at 40 degrees C without any further heat treatment, show an anatase pattern. X-ray Absorption Fine Structure analysis of the sol reveals that there is anatase structure in the liquid. In Scanning Electron Microscopy images there are anatase flake crystals, with a width of 30 nm while the length varying from 10 nm to 1 micron. Because of the anatase crystals, the sol itself, not powders or films, can decompose Rhodamine B under UV light with a ratio of 40% in 15min.