Synthesis of Titanium Dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Method and its Characterization

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is a widely synthesized nanomaterial used for various applications. The present report deals with the synthesis and characterization of Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel method using aqueous solutions of titanium isopropoxide, isopropanol, ethanol, nitric acid, and deionized water. The precursor solutions were prepared by the addition of titanium isopropoxide and isopropanol with an increase in temperature and isopropanol with nitric acid and deionized water with continuous stirring in a magnetic stirrer. The formed gel was further kept for drying in a hot air oven at a certain temperature for one hour and kept in the open for one day. The dried gel was further put for calcination in a hot air oven and muffled furnaces. The calcined powders were further crushed and ground using mortar and pestle. Multiple iterations of this synthesis were carried out with variations in the amount of precursors used, the chemical used, and submission to heat treatment. The resulting powders were then subjected to Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDS) to understand the chemical characterization of the sample.