Synthesis of titania nanopowder and its photocatalytic properties

Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) nanoparticles were prepared by the oxidation of titanium tetrachloride ($TiCl_4$) in a diffusion flame reactor. The average diameter of particles was 15 to 30 nm and mass fraction of anatase ranged from $40\;to\;80\%$. Effects of particle size and phase composition of those $TiO_2$ nanoparticles on photocatalytic properties such as decomposition of methylene blue and bacteria gas were investigated. The degree of decomposition of methylene blue by the $TiO_2$ nanoparticles under the illumination of the black light was directly proportional to the anantase mass fraction, but inversely to the particle size. The decomposition of bacteria by the $TiO_2$ nanoparticles under the illumination of the fluorescent light showed the same trend as in the case of the methylene blue.