A chelate-assisted route to anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in acidic aqueous media

We described a simple route to TiO2 nanoparticles with anatase phase by the acid-catalyzed sol–gel process of titanium(IV) bis(acetylacetonate) diisopropoxide in water, and studied the effect of chelation of the precursor on the crystallite and size of anatase TiO2. The nanocrystalline anatase TiO2 was obtained by controlling pH of aqueous solution containing the precursor at temperatures as low as room temperature. The ligands of the precursor complex were characterized by FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The sustenance of chelation of the precursor in an acidic solution may be a key factor to determine the crystalline phase of TiO2 at such mild conditions.