Effect of calcination temperature on porous titania prepared from industrial titanyl sulfate solution

Porous titania with anatase phase was prepared via thermal hydrolysis of industrial titanyl sulfate solution, and subsequent calcination at different temperature. The as-prepared powders were characterized by TG, DSC, XRD, particle size distribution test, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm and SEM. Raising calcination temperature could accelerate the crystal growth, enlarge its specific surface area, pore diameter, and improve its photocatalytic activity. While too high temperature could destroy the pore structure even collapse. The optimal calcination temperature is 550 °C, and the obtained sample showed good thermal stability and high photocatalytic activity, with specific surface area of 189.3 m2/g and higher degree of crystallinity, and its photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue was of 95.76%.

► Industrial titanyl sulfate solution as hydrolysis precursor. ► The thermal stability of the porous structure higher than 550 °C. ► Calcinaton enables crystallization of anatase phase. ► Calcination temperature at 550 °C is the optimum calcination condition.