A novel preparation of high surface area TiO2 nanoparticles from alkoxide precursor and using active carbon as additive

TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared by a novel alkoxide sol-gel precipitation. The presence of active carbon in different percentages could act as an interesting template. Upon calcination, carbon is eliminated leaving surface features significantly different from TiO2 prepared in the absence of carbon. Wide surface and structural characterisation of samples have been carried out. Correlations with carbon percentage is pointed out from this characterisation. Interesting spherical aggregates of nanosized TiO2 are observed from TEM images probably stabilised by the presence of carbon. Physicochemical correlations made will be very useful in further application of these TiO2 to be used as potential high surface area photocatalyst. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.