title: Synthesis and photoluminescence of well-dispersible anatase TiO2 nanoparticles.
abstract: High-purity anatase TiO(2) nanoparticles were prepared using a low-temperature sol-gel route. The as-prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. It is shown that the as-prepared sample crystallized in a pure anatase phase with an average crystallite size of about 7 nm, and the surfaces were highly hydrated. These nanoparticles were stabilized as a water suspension via the cooperation of DLVO force and surface hydration force. These suspensions showed characteristic band-gap emission at 397+/-1.5 nm, which is a little red-shifted compared with the band-gap energy of indirect electronic transition measured in the UV-vis absorption spectrum. These observations were explained by the light-induced relaxation of polar water molecules in the surface hydration layer.
authors.affiliation: State Key Structural Chemistry Laboratory, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Science, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jiaoxing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Youjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xuxu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xianzhi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Guangshe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li