Controllable Synthesis of Titania Nanocrystals with Different Morphologies and Application to the Degradation of Phenol

Titania nanocrystals with different morphologies were prepared using the hydrothermal method via controlling the pH values of solution, the ratio of reactants, temperature, and time of the hydrothermal reaction. The experimental results showed that uniform rod-like titania particles with an average aspect ratio of 6:1 could be obtained under the conditions of pH=11, n(TBOT):n(TEA)=1:2, hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C for 24 h. When pH<10, spherical titania nanocrystals could be obtained; with increasing the pH value, the diameter became smaller. Finally, the smallest size of the particles could reach 7 nm. Nanocrystals with uniformly well-dispersed and perfect crystallographic form were obtained via the above method. Phenol was used as the degradation model for testing the photocatalytical activity of the titania nanocrystals with different morphologies.