One-dimensional titanate nanostructures: Synthesis and characterization

One-dimensional (1D) nanostructured titania-based materials were synthesized by hydrothermal processing at 150 °C in a highly alkaline conditions. The investigation was limited on the early stages of the formation of the 1D nanostructures during the hydrothermal treatment of the titania hydrous gel and included the comparison with the common preparation technique from TiO2 particles. In addition, formation of 1D nanostructures from titania hydrous gel containing Pb during the hydrothermal treatment has also been investigated. The layered titanates (NaxH2−xTi3O7) as well as 1D nanostructures can be formed from the titania hydrous gel. The process is faster than the common technique in which TiO2 particles are hydrothermally treated under the same conditions. Addition of Pb-acetate to titania hydrous gel accelerates the formation process of thin layers and 1D nanostructures. However, the obtained sheets are amorphous with PbO/TiO2 crystalline nanometer-sized particles attached to them. In this system, the 1D nanostructures are formed by scrolling of the sheets.