In this work, TiO₂ 3D nanostructures (TF30) were prepared via a facile wet chemical process using ammonium hexafluorotitanate. The synthesized 3D TiO₂ nanostructures exhibited well-defined crystalline and hierarchical structures assembled from TiO₂ nanorods with different thicknesses and diameters, which comprised numerous small beads. Moreover, the maximum specific surface area of TiO₂ 3D nanostructures was observed to be 191 m²g^-1, with concentration of F ions on the surface being 2 at%. The TiO₂ 3D nanostructures were tested as photocatalysts under UV irradiation using Rhodamine B solution in order to determine their photocatalytic performance. The TiO₂ 3D nanostructures showed a higher photocatalytic activity than that of the other TiO₂ samples, which was likely associated with the combined effects of a high crystallinity, unique features of the hierarchical structure, a high specific surface area, and the advantage of adsorbing F ions.

A facile one-pot wet chemical process to prepare pure anatase TiO₂ hollow structures using ammonium hexafluorotitanate as a precursor is developed. By defining the formic acid ratio, we fabricate TiO₂ hollow structures containing fluorine on the surface. The TiO₂ hollow sphere is composed of an anatase phase containing fluorine by various analytical techniques. A possible formation mechanism for the obtained hollow samples by self-transformation and Ostwald ripening is proposed. The TiO₂ hollow structures containing fluorine exhibits 1.2 - 2.7 times higher performance than their counterparts in photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ hollow structures is attributed to the combined effects of high crystallinity, specific surface area (62 m²g^-1), and the advantage of surface fluorine ions (at 8%) having strong electron-withdrawing ability of the surface ≡ Ti-F groups reduces the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.

F-containing TiO₂ nanopowders are synthesized using simple wet processes (precipitation-based and hydrothermal) from ammonium hexafluorotitanate (AHFT, (NH4)2TiF6) as a precursor to apply as a photocatalyst for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). The surface properties of the prepared samples are evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results confirm that the synthesized anatase TiO₂ has sphere-like shapes, with numerous small nanoparticles containing fluorine on the surface. The photocatalytic activity of F-containing TiO₂ compared with F-free TiO₂ is characterized by measuring the degradation of RhB using a xenon lamp. The photocatalytic degradation of F-containing TiO₂ exhibits improved photocatalytic activity, based on the positive effects of adsorbed F ions on the surface.

In this study, TiO₂ powders are synthesized from ammonium hexafluoride titanate (AHFT, (NH₄)₂TiF₆) as a precursor by heat treatment. First, we evaluate the physical properties of AHFT using X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (PSA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Then, to prepare the TiO₂ powders, is heat-treated at 300-1300°C for 1 h. The ratio of anatase to rutile phase in TiO₂ is estimated by XRD. The anatase phase forms at 500°C and phase transformation to the rutile phase occurs at 1200°C. Increase in the particle size is observed upon increasing the reaction temperature, and the phase ratio of the rutile phase is determined from a comparison with the calculated XRD data. Thus, we show that anatase and rutile TiO₂ powders could be synthesized using AHFT as a raw material, and the obtained data are utilized for developing a new process for producing high-quality TiO₂ powder.

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• Photocatalytic activity of rutile TiO2 powders coupled with anatase TiO2 nanoparticles using surfactant
  Jong Min Byun, Chun Woong Park, Young In Kim, Young Do Kim
  journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2018; 25(3): 257.     CrossRef