Photocatalytic properties of rutile TiO₂ acicular particles in aqueous 4-chlorophenol solution

The photocatalytic properties of TiO₂ rutile powder with acicular primary particles were characterized using the photocatalytic reaction in aqueous 4-chlorophenol (4CP) solution and compared to those of TiO₂ anatase with almost the same surface area of approximately 200 m²g. The characteristics of commercial P-25 TiO₂ powders with the surface area of approximately 55 m²/g were also compared to rutile and anatase powders. The rutile phase powders surpassed both anatase and P-25 ones in decomposition rate for 4CP. The excellent photo-oxidative ability of the powder was dependent on the specific powder-preparation method, which led to a direct crystallization in aqueous solution, regardless of the crystalline structures of the powders.