Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by propane/air turbulent flame CVD process

Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles by the oxidation of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) in high-strength propane/air turbulent flame is investigated tentatively for mass production of TiO2 nanoparticles. Effects of reactor heat flux varying from 247 to 627 kJ/m2 s, initial TiO2 number density from 2 × 1020 to 1 × 1021 m−3, and apparent residence time of TiO2 nanoparticles in reactor from 0.06 to 0.9 s, on particle morphology, phase composition, UV absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra are studied. The TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized, with mean size of 30-80 nm and rutile mass fraction from 0.155 up to 0.575, exhibited a strong PL signal at the wavelength of 370-450 nm, with a wide peak signal at 400-420 nm, reflecting significant oxygen vacancies on the surface of the TiO2 nanoparticles.