Mesoporous TiO₂ and copper-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles: A case study

Abstract.

In this paper we report the synthesis of mesoporous titanium dioxide (M-TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) and copper (Cu)-modified M-TiO₂ NPs by the hydrothermal method at relatively low temperatures using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a template. In order to get ordered spherical particles and better interaction between cationic and anionic precursor, we have used titanium isopropoxide (TTIP) as titanium source and CTAB as surfactant. The process of modification by copper to M-TiO₂ follows the impregnation method. The change in structural and optical properties of NPs were estimated using different characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Brunner-Emmett-Teller curve and UV-Vis absorption analysis. M-TiO₂ and Cu-modified M-TiO₂ exhibit pure anatase crystalline phase and shows no evidence of CuO formation. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption hysteresis reveals that the material is mesoporous. Several samples synthesized at different process temperature were further studied in order to make them suitable for a wide range of applications.