Microwave synthesis of Titanium Dioxide nanotubes for use in water treatment

Abstract

Synthesis and engineering of the nanostructured semiconductors based on metal oxides have received considerable attention due to their unique physical and chemical properties, and their potential applications in industry and technology. While various methods have been used to synthesise Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) (also known as Titania) nanoparticles hydrothermal synthesis in the presence of a base solution, has proved to be an effective approach to prepare 1D nanostructures of TiO2. This is because the method utilises minimum reagents and produces relatively purer materials. However, the main attention is directed towards controlling structure and morphology by varying synthesis conditions such as temperature, pressure and time of processing during hydrothermal processing2,3. In our study, TiO2 nanostructures are synthesised using conventional heating and microwave-assisted hydrothermal procedure. The effects of heating on the size, shape and crystallinity of materials are studied. Microwave heating is particularly interesting because of higher energy density and shorter reaction times leading to nanoparticles that are weakly agglomerated, with high crystallinity and narrow particle size distribution. The resultant product is used as a photocatalyst in the treatment of micro-organisms in water systems.