Anatase/Rutile Phase Control of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized from Potassium Titanium Oxalate by Homogeneous Precipitation and Hydrothermal Methods

Preparation conditions of titanium oxide (TiO2) powders were examined by the hydrolysis of titanium potassium oxalate (K2TiO(C2O4)2), through the homogeneous precipitation method (80 & DEG;C for 24 h) and hydrothermal treatment (160 or 170 & DEG;C for 1 h). According to the Rietveld analysis, almost a single phase of anatase TiO2 could be obtained by the hydrothermal treatment at 160 & DEG;C for 1 h, followed by heating at 900 & DEG;C for 10 min in air. The molar ratio of anatase to rutile TiO2 was found to be controlled by optimizing the hydrothermal conditions in the solution and the heating conditions in air for photocatalytic activity.