Preparation and characterization of the La2Ti2O7 nanoparticles via a novel sol-gel method

Lanthanum titanate (La2Ti2O7) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by novel sol-gel method with the aid of Lanthanum nitrate, tetra-n-butyl titanate (TNBT) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide act as fuel, capping agent, and reducing agent in the synthesis of La2Ti2O7 nanoparticles. The formation of pure crystallized La2Ti2O7 nanocrystals occurred when the precursor was heat-treated at 700 °C in air for 3 h. The structural and morphological of as-obtained products were characterized by techniques such as XRD and SEM. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of as-synthesized La2Ti2O7 were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) as water contaminant

Keywords:

Lanthanum titanate , sol-gel , Photocatalyst , Methylene blue