Abstract:

By changing the parameters of reaction and controlling the conditions of reaction, the spheres TiO₂ nanoparticles whose particles size can be controlled and nanotubes whose aspect ratio and surface areas are larger were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The products were characterized with XRD, TEM, SAED and BET. For testing the photocatalysis performance of the products, we took the nitrobenzene solution with a high concentration as the water sample, completed a series of optimizing experiments for enhancing efficiency of the degradation and comparable experiments of photocatalysis degradation. By reviewing these parameters: the original concentration of the nitrobenzene solution, TiO2 loading, pH of the solution, we found that the effect of degradation was the best when the concentration of the nitrobenzene solution was 300 mg/L, TiO2 loading was 0.4 g/L, the pH of the solution was 6—7. By comparable experiments, we found that the photocatalysis performance of nanotubes is better than spheres titania nanoparticles because of the specific surface areas of nanotubes is larger. After 3 h irradiation by artificial ultraviolet light, the rate of degradation could reach over 90%, About 3.5 h irradiation by artificial ultraviolet light, nitrobenzene almost could be degraded completely.

Key words: TiO₂ nanoparticles, TiO₂ nanotubes, Nitrobenzene, Degradation