Ultrafast Synthesis of Titanium Suboxide via Magnetic Induction Heating for Enhanced Photodynamic Activity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Magnéli-phase titanium suboxides (Ti_nO_2n-1) exhibit a reduced band gap and improved visible light absorption compared to traditional titanium dioxide (TiO₂).
• These properties make them promising candidates for advanced photocatalytic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To convert P25 TiO₂ into mixed-phase Ti_nO_2n-1 using an ultrafast chemical reduction method.
• To investigate the effect of magnetic induction heating (MIH) current on the phase composition and photocatalytic activity of the resulting suboxides.
• To evaluate the performance of the synthesized suboxides in water purification applications.

Main Methods:

• Ultrafast chemical reduction of P25 TiO₂ using sodium borohydride.
• Magnetic induction heating (MIH) at controlled currents (200–600 A) for a duration of 12 seconds.
• Characterization of phase composition and evaluation of photocatalytic activity through degradation of methylene blue and removal of *Escherichia coli*.

Main Results:

• The fraction of Ti₂O₃ in the mixed-phase Ti_nO_2n-1 increased with MIH current, ranging from 26% at 200 A to 69% at 600 A.
• The sample prepared at 600 A demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity for degrading organic dyes and eliminating pathogenic bacteria.
• Enhanced activity is attributed to the photocatalytic reduction of oxygen to hydroxyl radicals.

Conclusions:

• Magnetic induction heating (MIH) is a highly effective method for the ultrafast synthesis of multiphase heterostructures from metal oxides.
• The synthesized Magnéli-phase titanium suboxides show significant potential as high-performance catalysts for water purification.
• Controlled MIH offers a pathway to tune the phase composition and optimize catalytic performance.