Difference between Anatase and Rutile Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles

Titanium oxide is the one of the top 50 chemicals which are produced in worldwide. It occurs in nature in three forms anatase, rutile and brookite. However, commonly, anatase and rutile forms have been used and studied. Naturally, it has whitish and opaque appearance, and through purification, it becomes whiter. Difference in crystal structure of these two forms as you can see in Figure 1 aroused interest in discrepancies between these forms, and many studies have been conducted.

Figure 1: Crystalline structure of titanium dioxide anatase (a) and rutile (b) Ti and O atoms are represented in white and red respectively.

P. Mazzolini, Functional Properties Control of TİO2 for Transparent Electrodes and Photoanodes, 2015

Difference between Characteristics of Rutile and Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles

In general, scholars studied comparison of photocatalyst and carcinogen characteristics, and production methods between anatase and rutile forms of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. First of all, there is a band gap difference, and anatase has about 3.2 eV band gap, and rutile has about 3.0 eV band gap. Since absorption is inversely proportional to band gap, rutile can absorb more light than anatase. According to photoconductivity measurements, electron-hole pair life time is in anatase is longer than one in rutile, so more charge carriers in anatase participate in surface reactions. In addition, there are researches about toxicology of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles in particular subjects. Results show that anatase is more toxic than rutile. These are the fundamental comparisons, but there are also difference in usage and applications which are both rutile and anatase forms are used.

In a study, N.-G. Park, J. van de Lagemaat, and A. J. Frank working about Comparison of Dye-Sensitized Rutile- and Anatase- Based TiO2 Solar Cells concluded that the short-circuit photocurrent of the rutile-based cell is about 30% lower than anatase-based cell. Another scholars studied on different toxicity of rutile and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles on macrophages: Involvement of difference in affinity to proteins and phospholipids, and the conclusion is that with similar size and zeta potential, rutile and anatase titanium dioxide have different damage effect on organelles in macrophages and different toxicity. The rutile nanoparticles have a high affinity to phospholipids while the anatase nanoparticles have high affinity to proteins.

These differences enhance the range of applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. In some applications the difference become an advantage, and both forms are used. Many such applications will be found and developed using the discrepancies.

Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted enormous attention in recent years due to its unique physical, electronic, optical and potential applications in materials science and nanotechnology. The van der Waals interaction between tubes, however, makes CNTs aggregate in most organic solvents and aqueous solutions, which is the major limitation of their practical applications.Various approaches have been studied to alter the CNT surface to promote the dispersion of individual nanotubes and prevent their reaggregation. On the basis of this widely accepted viewpoint, numerous techniques such as covalent bonding, surfactant coating and polymer wrapping have been developed for surface modification or sidewall functionalization.These methods, however, are complicated, time-consuming and cause permanent damage to the CNT structure and properties of the surface, which produces residues of the dispersion agent for the final product. Figure: Single Walled Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) It has re

Carbon Nanotube Threads

Since its discovery, carbon nanotube (CNT) has attracted many interests in different technology fields due to its extraordinary properties. Properties such as, high strength, great electrical and thermal conductivity, light weight and flexibility made CNT one of the best materials for wide range of applications. However, from its name it can be understood that CNT is a nanoscale material which is very small to be applied for the production of daily products. Researchers all around the world are working on finding methods and techniques which could produce new materials with the extraordinary properties of CNT. Image retrieved from: https://worldindustrialreporter.com/strong-light-flexible-carbon-nanotubes-threads-with-ultrahigh-conductivity/ One of these research is focusing on the production of high strength threads that can be used in the manufacturing of fabrics, cables and ropes. An international group of scientists were able to produce a flexible conductive thread that i

Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Applications

General Information about Magnesium Oxide Magnesium oxide which has the chemical formula of MgO, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of Magnesium. It is a white powder at room temperature. Magnesium Oxide has very high melting point (2825 o C) and boiling point (3600 o C). Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder and Usage Areas Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder can be used in many different areas. For example Magnesium Oxide nanoparticles/nanopowder are used as a fire retardant for chemical fiber and plastics trades. For making crucible, smelter, insulated conduit, electrode bar, and electrode sheet Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles/Nanopowder can be used as electric insulating material. Magnesium Oxide nan

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