Low temperature formation of anatase titanium dioxide

The crystallization behavior of titanium dioxide, produced by a sol-gel method, and its dependence on synthesis conditions has been investigated. It was found that the anatase phase of titanium dioxide can be formed at temperatures as low as 95degreesC in the presence of water, but the material produced at this temperature shows poor crystallinity. It is difficult to convert this poorly crystalline materials to a more highly crystalline structure upon application of a heat treatment at higher temperatures. A product with much better crystallinity was obtained when amorphous titania, processed only at ambient temperature, was subjected to heat treatment at 450degreesC.