Citrate/F− assisted phase control synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures and their photocatalytic properties

Abstract

A novel and controlled sol-hydrothermal synthesis of nano-TiO₂ assisted by citrate/F⁻ has been developed. We studied factors that influence its size and morphology, such as citrate, Cl⁻, F⁻ and so on. Different ratios of citrate to TiCl₄ gave different sizes and morphologies. Cl⁻ preferentially formed a rutile phase, while citrate preferentially formed an anatase phase, and F⁻ gave a dominant {001} facet. Additionally, we found that the photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ synthesised with the assistance of citrate was superior to the commercially available TiO₂.