High surface area anatase titania nanoparticles prepared by MOCVD

Anatase titania nanoparticles with the average grain sizes ranging from 7.4 to 15.2 nm are prepared using pyrolysis of titanium tetrabutoxide in oxygen containing atmosphere by MOCVD method. Influence of preparation temperature on the average grain size of the particles is investigated, followed by discussion. At low preparation temperatures nucleation dominates the process while growth of the particles becomes a controlling factor at high temperatures. The as prepared anatase titania nanoparticles show a surface area as high as 180 m2 g−1. The transformation temperature of the high surface area nanoparticles from anatase to rutile is as high as 700–1000 °C, which is about 200 °C higher than that of the particles prepared by spray hydrolysis method.