Microwave Plasma Process Optimization to Produce Nano Titania through Design of Experiments

Abstract

The numerous unique advantages afforded by microwave plasma synthesis have led to its extensive utilization in synthesis of a wide variety of highly pure nanopowders. The present research reports synthesis of commercially important titania nanopowder from low cost titanium tetrachloride using this process. The parametric impact of the process parameters on the conversion efficiency and percentage anatase in titania nanopowder has been studied using statistically designed experiments and analysis. The outcome of this research indicated that low levels of plasma forming gas flow rate (PFR), additional gas flow rate (AFR), and precursor feed rate (FR), along with high level of carrier gas flow rate (CFR) would result in the most efficient conversion process with suitable percentage of anatase for photocatalytic applications.

Keywords:

• Anatase
• ANOVA
• Design
• Microwave
• Nanoparticles
• Orthogonal
• Plasma
• Synthesis
• Titania

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors are grateful to Dr. G. V. N. Rao for providing XRD support. The research was carried out under funding from ARCI.