TiO2 nanoparticles with increased surface hydroxyl groups and their improved photocatalytic activity

TiO2 nanoparticles with improved photocatalytic activity (TiO2NPs-NaCl(R)) were synthesized through a well controlled sol–gel process in the presence of NaCl. Instead of being incorporated into the lattice of TiO2, the added sodium chloride can be completely removed from the resultant TiO2NPs-NaCl(R) by DI water. The results showed that TiO2NPs-NaCl(R) has 2 times more surface hydroxyl groups than that in TiO2NPs prepared without adding NaCl. Consequently TiO2NPs-NaCl(R) exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue (MB) and HCHO under UV irradiation. This research provides a simple and economic approach to improve photocatalytic performance of TiO2 related materials.

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► TiO2 synthesized by adding NaCl.
► TiO2's surface structure significantly changed and generated more hydroxyl groups.
► Modified TiO2 exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity.
► A simple and economical approach to modify TiO2 materials.