Size controlled synthesis and photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 hollow microspheres

Titanium oxide hollow microspheres were synthesized from organic precursor titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) using continuous spray pyrolysis reactor. Effects of precursor concentration, applied voltage and annealing have been investigated. It was observed that the annealing of the as-synthesized TiO2 hollow microspheres at 250 °C, which had an average external diameter of 200 nm, leads to an increase in the size and also more spherical shape. The precursor concentration and applied voltage were found to have a direct impact on the size of the microspheres, which is also evident in the absorption spectrum. The as-prepared TiO2 hollow microspheres exhibited good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MO.