Optimal Conditions for Formation of TiO2 Nanoparticles Using Semibatch-Batch Two-Stage Mixed Reaction Method

Abstract

TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized from titanium tetraethoxide (TEOT) dissolved in ethanol using a semibatch-batch two-stage mixed method. In this work, a statistical experimental method was used to compare various properties of TiO2 particles according to six parameters [concentration of TEOT during 1st and 2nd stages, reaction temperature during 1st and 2nd stages, and amount of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) during 1st and 2nd stages]. It was found that the optimal conditions for the preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles using this method were as follows; (1st TEOT (M): 0.08~0.10, 2nd TEOT (M): 0.13~0.15, 1st Temp. (℃): 15~20, 2nd Temp. (℃): 35~40, 1st HPC ((X10-2 g/cc): 0.015~0.019, 2nd HPC ((X10-2 g/cc): 0.25~0.30). The experimental results using the above optimal conditions were in agreement with the theoretical data and produced the smallest size (~30 nm in diameter). In addition, it was found that the main parameters affecting the preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles were the concentration of TEOT and reaction temperature during the second stage.