Ultrasound with low intensity assisted the synthesis of nanocrystalline TiO2 without calcination

A novel method has been developed for the preparation of nano-sized TiO2 with anatase phase. Nanoparticles with diameter about 6 nm were prepared at a relatively low temperature (75 °C) and short time. The synthesis was carried out by the hydrolysis of titanium tetra-isopropoxide (TTIP) in the presence of water, ethanol, and dispersant under ultrasonic irradiation (500 kHz) at low intensity. The results show that variables such as water/ethanol ratio, irradiation time, and temperature have a great influence on the particle size and crystalline phases of TiO2 nanoparticles. Characterization of the product was carried out by different techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy.