Sains Malaysiana 39(6)(2010): 975–979

Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide Microstructures via Sucrose Ester Microemulsion-Mediated Hydrothermal Method

(Sintesis Mikrostruktur Titanium Dioksida melalui Kaedah Mikroemulsi Ester Sukrosa dalam Proses Hidroterma)

S.A. Zakarya, A. Kassim, H.N. Lim* & N.S. Anwar

Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia

43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

N.M. Huang

Solid State Physics Research Laboratory, Physics Department, Faculty of Science

University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 18 September 2009 / Accepted: 2 April 2010

ABSTRACT

Titanium dioxide particles were successfully prepared using microemulsion-mediated hydrothermal processing route, with sucrose ester as a stabilising agent. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the particles possessed anatase crystal phase. Scanning electron micrographs showed micron-sized spherical particles with rough and smooth surfaces, which eventually interconnected with one another. The formation mechanism of the titanium dioxide microstructures was postulated. The as-prepared particles were subjected to photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, which exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared to their commercial counterpart.

Keywords: Hydrothermal; microemulsion; sucrose ester; titanium dioxide

ABSTRAK

Zarah titanium dioksida telah berjaya dihasilkan menerusi kaedah mikroemulsi dalam proses hidroterma menggunakan ester sukrosa sebagai agen penstabil. Corak pembelauan sinar-X menunjukkan zarah tersebut terdiri daripada fasa hablur anatase. Mikrograf elektron imbasan menunjukkan zarah sfera bersaiz mikron dengan permukaan kasar dan licin yang bercantum antara satu sama lain. Mekanisme pembentukan mikrostruktur titanium dioksida telah dipostulasikan. Zarah yang dihasilkan diuji kuasa penguraian fotokatalitik menggunakan metilena biru dan mempamerkan aktiviti fotokatalitik yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan zarah titanium dioksida daripada pasaran.

Kata kunci: Hidroterma; ester sukrosa; mikroemulsi; titanium dioksida

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*Corresponding author; email: janet_limhn@yahoo.com