Crystallinity control on photocatalysis and photoluminescence of TiO2-based nanoparticles

Single anatase TiO2 nanocrystals with controllable crystallinity are prepared by a simple and readily available hydrothermal route. The crystallinity has been successfully manipulated via varying the temperature. TiO2-240 prepared at 240 degrees C holds the highest crystallinity, i.e., the largest crystallite size of 14.2 nm and the lowest lattice strain of 12.56 x 10(-3), and the highest photocatalytic efficiency. The feasible method is also successfully applied in the synthesis of Eu3+-doped TiO2 (TiO2:Eu3+) nanoparticles. Both the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the TiO2:Eu3+ intensifies obviously as the crystallinity increases. The photocatalytic activity of nanoTiO(2) and PL properties of the TiO2:Eu3+ are discussed in detail from the viewpoints of crystallinity based on various characterizations. This method can be developed for the deliberate synthesis of other functional nanomaterials. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.