Synthesis of nanostructure rutile TiO2 in a carboxyl-containing ionic liquid

Abstract Nanostructure rutile TiO 2 was prepared in a carboxyl-containing ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium-3-acetate chlorine ([AcMIm]Cl), by using TiOCl 2 solution as a precursor at low temperature. The obtained nanostructure TiO 2 was analyzed with fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-prepared TiO 2 present only rutile crystal phase and a novel flower-like morphology. The as-prepared rutile TiO 2 shows better photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methyl orange. The template-directing performance of ionic liquid is due to the bidentate chelating complexation between the carboxylic functional group of ionic liquid and titania.