Nanostructured TiO2 — morphological and structural changes

Chemical modification of titanium to form TiO2 is being extensively pursued. We compare the influence of acid pickling and post processing on the crystallinity and morphology of TiO2 grown by H2O2 oxidation. Subsequent oxidation using two concentrations of H2O2 (15% and 30% by mass) indicates a variation in the fine surface morphology, apparent at low magnifications. No discernable difference in the quality of TiO2 that was produced when evaluated by SEM, Raman or XRD (glancing angle and θ:2θ) could be detected between the samples oxidised in different H2O2 concentrations. The photoactivity of TiO2 produced from ultra thin Ti films was confirmed by the photocatalytic reduction of Ag+ cations to Ag0.