Next generation of pure titania nanoparticles for enhanced solar-light photocatalytic activity

TiO2 nanoparticles are renowned for its photocatalytic degradation. Herein, Oxygen-rich TiO2 nanosphere and TiO2 nanorods have been prepared by photon induced method (PIM). This facial preparation method is cost effective and produce pure anatase phased TiO2 nanoparticles with high stability. The morphology of the prepared TiO2 samples for various preparation times have been analyzed using HRTEM and HRSEM. As the preparation time is increased, a morphological transformation from nanorods to nanospheres is witnessed. The possible reason behind this transformation has also been discussed. The nature of the samples have been investigated using XRD, FTIR, PL, XPS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The PIM prepared sample for 8 days show pure anatase phase stability even at a higher calcination temperature of 800 A degrees C. This is correlated with the oxygen richness of the sample. A clear discussion regarding this enhanced phase stability is also presented here. Also, the photocatalytic activity of both the samples have been investigated through the degradation of methylene blue dye. The degradation of methylene blue under sunlight by pure TiO2 nanosphere is quicker when compared with TiO2 nanorods and Degussa P25. The reason for the enhanced photodegradation activity of pure TiO2 nanospheres has also been discussed in detail.