Abstract
The redox properties of a homogeneously-precipitated $TiO_2$ rutile powder with a BET surface area of ~$200 m^2$/g, consisting of an acicular primary particle, were characterized using photocatalytic reaction in aqueous 4-chlorophenol, Cu-EDTA and Pb-EDTA solutions under ultraviolet irradiation, compared to those of commercial P-25 X$200 m_2$ powder with a spherical primary particle as well as home-made anatase $TiO_2$ powder with ~$200 m^2$/g BET surface area. Here, the anatase powder also includes mainly the primary particles very similar to the acicular shapes of the rutile $TiO_2$ powder. The rutile powder showed the fastest decomposition rate and the largest amount in the photoredor, compared with the anatase or P-25 powder, while the anatase powder unexpectedly showed the slowest rate and the smallest amount in the same experiments regardless of almost the same surface area. From results, the excellent photoredox abilities of this rutile powder appears to be due to specific powder preparation method, like a homogeneous precipitation leading to direct crystallization from the solution, regardless of their crystalline structures even when having the similar particle shape and surface area.
