Effect of particle size and phase composition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the photocatalytic properties

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by the oxidation of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) in a diffusion flame reactor. The average diameter of particles was 15-30 nm and mass fraction of anatase ranged from 40% to 80%. Effects of particle size and phase composition of those TiO2 nanoparticles on photocatalytic properties such as decomposition of methylene blue, bacteria and ammonia gas were investigated. The degree of decomposition of methylene blue by the TiO2 nanoparticles under the illumination of the black light was directly proportional to the anatase mass fraction, but inversely to the particle size. The decomposition of bacteria and ammonia gas by the TiO2 nanoparticles under the illumination of the fluorescent light showed the same trend as in the case of the methylene blue.