Abstract
Titania particles are widely used as a photocatalyst to treat various contaminants in air and water. Titania particles were formed by vapor-phase oxidation of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) in a tube furnace between 773 and 1,273 K. The effect of process variables such as furnace temperature, flow rate of carrier air, and flow rate of sheath air on powder size and phase characteristics was investigated using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The size distribution of synthesized titania particles was characterized with mode diameter and peak concentration. The mode diameter ranging from 20 to 80 nm decreased with increasing flow rates of sheath air and carrier air, and increased with increasing furnace temperature. The peak concentration increased with increasing flow rates of sheath air and carrier air The best synthetic condition for high production rate can be derived from the experimental data set represented by mode diameter and peak concentration. The crystal structure of synthesized titania particles was found to be anatase phase, ensuring high photocatalytic potential.