Synthesis of nanostructure rutile TiO2 in a carboxyl-containing ionic liquid

Nanostructure rutile TiO₂ was prepared in a carboxyl-containing ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium-3-acetate chlorine ([AcMIm]Cl), by using TiOCl₂ solution as a precursor at low temperature. The obtained nanostructure TiO₂ was analyzed with fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The as-prepared TiO₂ present only rutile crystal phase and a novel flower-like morphology. The as-prepared rutile TiO₂ shows better photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methyl orange. The template-directing performance of ionic liquid is due to the bidentate chelating complexation between the carboxylic functional group of ionic liquid and titania.