(392a) Mechanical Preparation of Nano-Sized Particles of Titanium Dioxide for Optical Applications

A mechanical preparation of nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by a stirred bead mill was investigated. The particle sizes of the ground product were measured using an acoustic particle sizer (APS-100), the nitrogen gas adsorption method and by scanning electron microscopy. The diameter of the nano-sized particles, which were produced after milling for 7 h, is approximately 70 nm and the specific surface area is up to 70 m2 g-1. The results of X-ray diffraction spectra indicate that an intense comminution in the mill leads to a progressive loss in crystallinity. In addition, the catalytic degradation of methyl orange in water was analyzed. The results show that the nano-sized particles of TiO2 prepared by the mechanical milling retain photocatalytic activity and are capable of absorption of ultraviolet radiation to some degree.