Synthesis and characterization of angstrom-scale anatase titania atomic wires

We present bulk synthesis of anatase titania atomic wires with uniform diameters of approximately ~4-5 A¿ which are as thin as about two to three Ti-O bonds across. The synthesis was realized by a nonhydrolytic approach, which carefully controls the formation of a titanium-containing precursor from the reactions of titanium alkoxide and the subsequent growth of the TiO₂ atomic wires with the assistance of surfactants.