Room temperature synthesis of rutile nanorods and their applications on cloth

In order to achieve better photocatalytic performance, rutile nanorods dispersed in anatase and brookite phases were synthesized from titanium isopropoxide (TIP) in a concentrated HNO3 solution at room temperature (23 °C). X-ray diffraction results indicated that the percentage of rutile increased with increasing peptization time. Scanning electron microscopy and and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that the nanosized titania particles mainly consisted of granular anatase and brookite, and rod-like rutile. It was interesting that the stability of the colloid increased with increasing nanoparticle concentration, and the tricrystalline titania showed a photocatalytic activity higher than that of pure anatase. These nanocrystals were applied onto cotton fabrics, and achieved a promising bactericidal photocatalytic activity and excellent protection against UV radiation.