Crystallinity control on photocatalysis and photoluminescence of TiO2-based nanoparticles

Single anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with controllable crystallinity are prepared by a simple and readily available hydrothermal route. The crystallinity has been successfully manipulated via varying the temperature. TiO2-240 prepared at 240 °C holds the highest crystallinity, i.e., the largest crystallite size of 14.2 nm and the lowest lattice strain of 12.56 × 10−3, and the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The feasible method is also successfully applied in the synthesis of Eu3+-doped TiO2 (TiO2:Eu3+) nanoparticles. Both the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the TiO2:Eu3+ intensifies obviously as the crystallinity increases. The photocatalytic activity of nanoTiO2 and PL properties of the TiO2:Eu3+ are discussed in detail from the viewpoints of crystallinity based on various characterizations. This method can be developed for the deliberate synthesis of other functional nanomaterials.