Conventional and microwave-hydrothermal synthesis of TiO2 nanopowders

The objective of this study was to compare the conventional and microwave hydrothermal treatment of TiOCl2 solutions. Colloidal titania suspensions were prepared by forced hydrolysis at 195 degrees C for different times ranging from 1 to 32 h for the conventional synthesis and from 5 min to 1 h for the microwave ones. The effect of the microwave technology on both the synthesis conditions and titania nanoparticles properties has been evaluated. Particles morphology and crystallinity were studied by using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The thermal and chemical stability of the obtained powders were determined by TG/DTA analysis.