Sol-gel Synthesis of Anatase Nanopowders for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Herbicide Clomazone in Aqueous Media

摘要

TiO2 nanopowders were produced by sol-gel technique using TiCl4 as a starting material. For the preparation of crystalline anatase with developed surface area, this aqueous solution has been mixed with 0.05 M or 0.07 M (NH4)(2)SO4 solution in a temperature-controlled bath. The pH values of the suspension were 7, 8 or 9. According to the x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis the anatase crystallite sizes were about 12 nm, which coincided with the average particle size revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).