Nano-structured TiO2 as enhanced filtration membrane and photo-catalyst

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the material for future water treatment industry for its unique physical and chemical properties. Besides being physically and chemically stable, TiO2 produces oxidizing radicals in presence of UV light, which break down organic soluble compounds. Commercial TiO2 powder also has large membrane surface area, and it has great potential for being used in manufacturing fouling-resistant filtration membrane. Recent researches have discovered that TiO2 crystals undergoes transformation in hydrothermal reaction to give nano-structured material superior to its original material. The objective of this study is to investigate the variation in properties of nano-structured TiO2 from different synthesis methods. This could be achieved by carrying out hydrothermal reaction with commercial TiO2. The resultant samples are characterized by UV-spectrometer scanning, XRD, SEM, Photo-catalytic test. Followed by calcinations of the best samples giving free-standing TiO2 membrane. [4th Award