Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 powders by the double-nozzle electrospray pyrolysis method. Part 2. Material evaluation

Here we report the synthesis and characterization of anatase TiO2 powders by the double nozzle electrospray pyrolysis method. Titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactato) dihydroxide (TALH) aqueous solution (2.0 w%) and pure H2O were separately injected into capillaries by using two syringe pumps, and were electrosprayed by using positive (+4 kV) and negative (-4 kV) DC voltage, respectively. Under a stream of dry clean air, the droplets were carried to the stainless steel tube heated with a tubular furnace at 350-450 degrees C. Thanks to the neutralization of droplets by the double-nozzle electrospray, the final TiO2 powder yield after pyrolysis was much improved from 6% (by single nozzle) to 55.4% (in this study), although the particle size distribution became wider due to the electrical neutralization and coalescence of the droplets. Photocatalytic activity for H-2 evolution was studied. (C) 2015 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.