Population Balance Modelling and Experimental Study for Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles using Continuous Hydrothermal Process

Population balance (PB) modelling is investigated as a tool to study hydrothermal synthesis (CHS) technique for nanomaterial formulation. In particular, the effects of solution concentration and reactor residence time on the particle size distribution were examined. For the purpose of model validation, the simulated results were compared with data obtained from experiments conducted using a continuous stirred tank reactor for production of nano-size TiO2 particles. Product was analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and particle size was characterised using scanning electron microscopy, zetasizer and image analysis. Good agreement between experimental and simulation results was achieved.