Anatase titania synthesised at low temperature: recent breakthroughs

To overcome the limitations of conventional techniques that employ high-temperature calcinations to prepare nanosized anatase titania (TiO₂), and thus find effective methods for low-temperature methods to synthesise nanosized TiO₂ with high catalytic activity, has been one of the most challenging aspects in the photocatalyst field. In this article, the recent progress in low-temperature synthesis of nanosized anatase TiO₂ is reviewed. The advances in this field are discussed in the light of the progress in the development of suitable synthetic methods. Particular emphasis is placed on the special conditions and demands to prepare uniform and stable anatase nanostructures at low temperature. The principles, reactions, synthesising procedures as well as the advantages and disadvantages of reported methods are presented. Furthermore, to overcome the intrinsic shortcomings of pure nanosized TiO₂ as photocatalyst, that is, the rather low quantum efficiency and the incapability of utilising visible light, this review is also extended to the technologies of preparing TiO₂ composites such as ion-doping, rare metal deposit and composite semiconductors. Finally the developing trends and the potential focus of future research in this field are prospected.