Processing and photocatalytic properties of Cu-grafted TiO2 powder from acid treated BaTiO3

The respective influences of calcination, drying methods, and washing conditions on the morphologies, surface properties, and photocatalytic activities of TiO2 powders prepared from acid treatments of BaTiO3 were investigated. Rutile powder was obtained using the treatment under strong acid conditions. It possesses a bundle-like shape and comprises rutile nanorods. After calcination, characteristic voids were observed in the particles. Anatase powder was obtained by adjusting pH values of a BaTiO3 suspension to 2.5–3. Drying at 110 °C engendered the formation of spheroidal anatase, although freeze-dried anatase particles assembled into a flake-like shape. The freeze-dried samples show lower crystallinity. With grafting Cu ions, rutile exhibited better photocatalytic performance for the decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol (IPA) under visible light, although it did not work effectively for anatase.