Publication: Synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide nanotubes via hydrothermal method
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Date
2009-05-01
Authors
Lai, Chin Wei
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Abstract
Nanotubes have numerous potential applications in areas such as biotechnology, electronics, environmental purification, photocatalytic, gas sensing and photovoltaic. The unique shape, size and other structural features of nanotubes make them attractive for nanotechnological applications. A conversion from commercial titania nanoparticles to nanotubes was achieved by hydrothermal method. Titania nanoparticles were treated chemically with high concentration of sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and subsequently with acid hydrochloride aqueous solution. The amount of sodium cation can be controlled by acid hydrochloride treatment with distilled water during the centrifuge process. This resulting in the formation of titania nanotubes. In order to get a good control of the dimension of the tubes, in particular to get high aspect ratio, various parameters were investigated. The average outer diameter of the nanotubes was influenced by the amount of the titania and concentration of sodium hydroxide. Besides this, titania nanotubes with the diameters about 10nm were synthesized via hydrothermal reaction of titania nanoparticles in the temperature range of 110ºC to 150ºC. The morphology of the formation for titania nanotubes can be investigated by varying the reaction time from 3 hours to 24 hours. Titania nanotubes were subjected to photocatalytic degradation using 30 ppm methyl orange. The comparison studies were performed between titania nanotubes and titania nanoparticles. Titania nanotubes show the effective photocatalytic activity compared to titania nanoparticles.