Modyfication of photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide by mechanochemical method

The paper presents a simple way to improve the photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide using mechanochemical method. The TiO₂ (Anatase) powders was subjected to high-energy ball milling in dry environment and in methanol. It has been shown that it is possible to induce the phase transformation from Anatase to Rutile and produce a material with a higher photocatalytic activity in the UV light. Physicochemical characteristics of the products were based on the following methods and techniques: X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR and UV-Vis (DR) spectroscopy, measurements of specific surface area (BET). The photocatalytic activity of the powders was measured in the decomposition reaction of methyl orange in water.