Environmentally Friendly Pathways for Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Nano-particles

Multi-scale and/or multi-disciplinary approach to process-product innovation

Nanotechnology & Nanomanufacturing (T3-1P)

Prof Sermin Sunol
University of South Florida
Chemical Engineering
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa FL 33620
United States of America

Mr Haitao Li
University of South Florida
Chemical Engineering
4202 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa FL 33620
United States of America

Prof Aydin Sunol
University of South Florida
Chemical Engineering Department
4202 E. Fowler Ave. ENB 118
Tampa, FL 33620
United States of America

Keywords: Titanium Dioxide, Nanoparticles, template, doping, supercritical fluids

Titanium Dioxide is an important catalyst for oxidation of hazardous compounds in air and water particularly for photo-catalysis. Although it is traditionally used for photo-catalysis with UV light, when its energy band gap is reduced, it is effective with sun light. This can be achieved through making particles nano size thus changing the crystalline structure. This paper focuses on comparison of synthesis pathways for production of Titanium Dioxide catalyst. The pathways are supercritical fluid drying of gels, direct particle synthesis under supercritical conditions, and templated approaches, all with or without dopents. The band gap is tested using UV while catalysts are further characterized using XRD, FTIR, AFM, TEM, and SEM.

Presented Tuesday 18, 13:30 to 15:00, in session Nanotechnology & Nanomanufacturing (T3-1P).