Synthesis and characterization of TiO[subscript 2] hollow spheres using spraying technique

Abstract

The synthesis of titania hollow spheres from titanium sulfate solution was carried out by a spraying technique. Titanium sulfate solution was sprayed into an aqueous solution of a surfactant (tween 20, polyethylene glycol and sodium dodecyl sulfate), which acted under atmospheric condition. Effects of various preparation parameters, namely, flow rate of precursor, concentration of surfactant, the distance from the nozzle to the surfactant solution, and type of surfactant on the products were investigated. X-ray diffractometry confirmed that the products were anatase TiO2. The size and morphology of the products were studied using laser diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The average particle sizes of TiO2 decreased when the flow rate of titanium sulfate solution, concentration of surfactant and the distances from the nozzle to the surfactant solution increased. The average particle size of the synthesis TiO2 hollow spheres was in the range of 100-170 nm.