The study of structural and optical properties of pure TiO₂ nanoparticles

A pure TiO₂ nanoparticle was synthesized by Sol gel technique. The structural properties of the samples were studied using XRD, FESEM and HRTEM. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed the anatase phase of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The crystallite size increased with increasing precursor concentration. FESEM analysis revealed that the morphology of TiO₂ nanoparticles to be spherical in structure and agglomeration increased when the precursor concentration increased. The HRTEM images were in accordance with the FESEM images. The SAED pattern confirmed the crystalline nature with multifaceted growth of the samples. EDAX spectrum of TiO₂ nanoparticles at different precursor concentration confirmed the formation of Ti and O₂. The absorption spectrum of TiO₂ nanoparticles showed that the absorbance band to be slightly towards the lower wavelength with increasing precursor. The band gap energy values (by DRS relation) of the TiO₂ nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 3.58 to 3.54 eV. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional group and the characteristic stretching of the vibrational band of Ti-O₂ bonding at 465 cm⁻¹ which shifted to lower frequency with an increase in the precursor concentration. PL spectra at various precursor concentrations exhibited a strong UV emission band. The influence of precursor concentrations was strongly witnessed from the structural and optical properties of TiO₂ nanoparticles.