Optimization of experimental conditions based on Taguchi robust design for the preparation of nano-sized TiO2 particles by solution combustion method

This investigation was aimed at preparing nanocrystalline TiO2 powder by solution combustion method, and searching the optimum preparing conditions by employing Taguchi robust design method. Taguchi robust design method with L-18 orthogonal array was implemented to optimize experimental conditions for preparing nano-sized titania particles. Titanium IV n-butoxide was hydrolyzed to obtain titanyl hydroxide [TiO(OH)(2)], and titanyl nitrate [TiO(NO3)(2)] was obtained by reaction of TiO(OH)2 with nitric acid. Finally, the aqueous solution containing titanyl nitrate [TiO(NO3)(2)] and a fuel, glycine, were mixed and combusted to obtain the nano-sized titania. The optimum conditions obtained by this method are as follows (based on I mol of TiO2 per batch): concentration of HPC, 0.053 mg cm(-3); mole ratio of Ti:H2O:IPA, 1:4: 10; hydrolysis time, one hr; the amounts of HNO3 and glycine are 10 ml and 0.5 g, respectively; nitrated temperature, 298 K and nitrated time, 2 h. TiO2 nanocrystalline (similar to 15 nm) with high BET surface area (350 m(2) g(-1)) and narrow band gap energy (2.7 eV) were thus obtained.