Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Titania Nanoparticles, Characterization of Their Thin Films, and Activity in Photooxidation of β-Naphthol

Nanosized titania (TiO2) films and powders were prepared from titanium isopropoxide by ultrasonication then ultrasonic aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (UAACVD). X-ray diffraction (XRD), used to study the crystal structure, phase, and crystallite size of TiO2 samples annealed at 500A degrees C, revealed anatase was the main crystalline phase. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy revealed the quasi-spherical morphology of the TiO2 nanoparticles; average size distribution was in the range 20-35 nm. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the anatase TiO2, on the basis of efficiency of degradation of beta-naphthol. Pure TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by use of sonication-UAACVD then calcination at 500A degrees C enabled effective photodegradation under UV light. This method of synthesis of TiO2 is superior to the reflux-UAACVD method with titanium isopropoxide as precursor.