Preface

I am aware that this book will spark a lot of debate. It has never been easy to dispute the consensus because the "system"—of any kind, in any setting—will use whatever means possible to maintain the status quo. I feel obligated to share my knowledge, analyses, and conclusions after spending 20 years in the field of analytical chemistry, sample preparation, and separation techniques of bioactive molecules. I have published twenty papers, including four reviews and book chapters on various aspects of analytical chemistry. The beneficiaries will be all of us – ourselves, scientists, researchers, students, and society. One of the most notable aspects of this book is that it lacks a textbook format where the chapters must be read in the order provided to be comprehended. In reality, you can begin the adventure at any point, depending on your interests, tastes, and preferences.

I do not expect everybody in the scientific community to agree with the content and ideas put forth in this book. But I do hope that the information and knowledge presented will be useful for the students, researchers, and scientists. The book comprises eleven chapters.

Chapter 1 describes the processes for synthesizing titanium dioxide (TiO2) with vanadium oxide V0, its properties, and some of its applications for photocatalysis. It also discusses the reductive, adsorption, optical, and structural properties of TiO2 nanoparticles containing V0. This chapter is useful for engineers who seek to produce extremely effective photocatalysts and expand the functional applications of photocatalysis by developing defective semiconductors. Chapter 2 discusses the synthesis of black titania and its applications. It outlines various synthetic approaches employed to obtain black titania and describes the structural features of the black titania nanomaterials, along with their photocatalytic performances towards various applications. Chapter 3 focuses on the comparison of possible surface-related parameters and photocatalytic activity of anatase, rutile, and brookite polymorphs with exposed different crystal facets. It also summarizes computational data on their different possible surface structures, focusing on the geometry, energy, and possible reconstructions. Chapter 4 briefly describes the synthesis process of the different types of nanostructured (NS) TiO2, their chemical and surface modifications, and their applications. It also describes the preparation of NS TiO2, including nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, nanosheets, nanofibers, and nanotubes. This chapter discusses the effects of precursor properties and synthesis conditions on the structure, crystallinity, surface specificity, and morphology of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Chapter 5 explains the recently reported methods that are used to synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles, such as sol–gel, hydrothermal, precipitation, and so on. The chapter also highlights the different properties of TiO2. Chapter 6 describes the main features of TiO2, including processes, structure, and final properties, and reports and discusses different surface coating methods for TiO2 with inorganic oxides and organic matter. Chapter 7 deals with tuning the magnetic and photocatalytic properties of wide-bandgap metal oxide semiconductors for environmental remediation. Chapter 8 describes the factors

that influence the crystalline structure, morphology, and adhesion of TiO2 films to ginger lily fibers. The surface properties of TiO2 films are determined using analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and their morphology and elemental composition are determined by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Chapter 9 discusses the complex impact of gamma rays on materials of TiO2 and their practical use in photovoltaic contexts. Chapter 10 discusses plasmonic–TiO2 nanohybrids for environmental and energy applications. Chapter 11 reviews the design, fabrication, and theranostic biomedical applications of nano titania.

I hope this book is widely read. If we are to avoid the blunders of the past, then we need to change direction and start benefiting from the knowledge base created by the scientists. We did not have this chance a decade ago. Now is the right time.

> **Bochra Bejaoui** National Institute of Research and Pysico-chemical Analysis (INRAP), Laboratory of Useful Materials, Technopark of Sidi Thabet, Ariana, Tunisia Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte,

Department of Chemistry, The University of Carthage, Zarzouna, Tunisia Section 1

Synthesis and

Properties of TiO2

Section 1
