Title: Synthesis and characterisation of TiO₂ nanoparticles using alkaline fusion method for potential photocatalyst application

Authors: Muhammad Azri Muhd Yusop; Ashreen Norman; Nur Farahah Mohd Khairuddin; Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah; Roshasnorlyza Hazan

Addresses: Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ' UPM-MAKNA Cancer Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, University Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ' Department of Industrial Technology, Malaysia Nuclear Agency, Block 36, Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Malaysia

Abstract: The current research involves the preparation of titanium-based nanoparticles having potential for photocatalytic release of pollutants or dyes. The titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were synthesised using an alkaline fusion method using natural ilmenite as a titanium precursor. Ultra-violet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and powder X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to characterise the synthesised nanoparticles. The results indicated that increasing the calcination temperature decreased the degradation rate of methyl orange (MO) due to increased particle size and surface area. The photocatalytic degradation of MO established that TiO₂ was an effective catalyst for dye removal from water samples.

Keywords: ilmenite; titania; alkaline fusion; photocatalyst; degradation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2023.135813

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2023 Vol.20 No.11/12, pp.992 - 997

Published online: 05 Jan 2024 *

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