The crystalline phase stability of titania particles prepared at room temperature by the sol-gel method

Titania particles having anatase, brookite and rutile phase were prepared at various H+/TTIP (Titaniumtetraisopropoxide) mole ratios and room temperature by the sol-gel method. The crystalline phases according to the variation of the post heat treatment temperature were observed. The crystalline phase and the phase transformation, morphology, and crystallite size were identified by using XRD, TG/DTA, Raman spectroscopy and TEM. The brookite phase of titania particles prepared at the H+/TTIP mole ratio of 0.02 and room temperature was not transformed into anatase or rutile even with the heat treatment at 750°C, and also the anatase phase was stable at the temperature as high as 850°C. However, the titania particles prepared at the H+/TTIP mole ratio of 0.67, which contained the mixed phases of anatase, brookite, and rutile at room temperature, showed only rutile phase at temperature of 750°C. It was thus shown that the initial crystalline phase of the primary particles prepared at room temperature had an important effect on the phase transformation behavior upon post heating. Phase transformation from brookite to anatase and subsequently to rutile occurred with heating.