Phase transition between nanostructures of titanate and titanium dioxides via simple wet-chemical reactions

Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic activities of titanate nanotubes surface-decorated by zinc oxide nanoparticles

Nanoscaled zinc oxide (ZnO) particles with different amounts are coated on titanate nanotubes (TNTs) by a facile chemical method at room temperature. The characterizations of XPS, TEM, XRD and UV-vis spectra confirm that pure hexagonal wurtzite ZnO nanoparticles with an average size of about 9nm are distributed on the surfaces of TNTs evenly and attached strongly. The photocatalytic activities of the ZnO-TNTs nanocomposite are superior to those of P25, ZnO, TNTs and ZnO-anatase TiO2 (TNP) nanocomposite in the oxidation of rhodamine B under UV light irradiation. A comparison of the photocatalytic activities between different catalysts is discussed. Furthermore, we also find that the ZnO-TNT nanocomposite shows very favorable recycle use potential, because they have a high sedimentation rate and their photocatalytic activity is only slightly decreased even after five times of repeated uses.

A biomimetic hierarchical scaffold: natural growth of nanotitanates on three-dimensional microporous Ti-based metals

Nanophase materials are promising alternative implant materials in tissue engineering. Here we report for the first time the large-scale direct growth of nanostructured bioactive titanates on three-dimensional (3D) microporous Ti-based metal (NiTi and Ti) scaffolds via a facile low temperature hydrothermal treatment. The nanostructured titanates show characteristics of 1D nanobelts/nanowires on a nanoskeleton layer. Besides resembling cancelous bone structure on the micro/macroscale, the 1D nanostructured titanate on the exposed surface is similar to the lowest level of hierarchical organization of collagen and hydroxyapatite. The resulting surface displays superhydrophilicity and favors deposition of hydroxyapatite and accelerates cell attachment and proliferation. The remarkable simplicity of this process makes it widely accessible as an enabling technique for applications from engineering materials treatment including energy-absorption materials and pollution-treatment materials to biotechnology.

Manufactured nanoparticles: an overview of their chemistry, interactions and potential environmental implications

The industrial scale production and wide variety of applications of manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) and their possible release in considerable amounts into the natural aquatic environment have produced an increasing concern among the nanotechnology and environmental science community. In order to address this issue, it is important to understand NP chemistry, preparation, reactivity and possible mechanisms involved in their interaction with the naturally occurring aquatic components, particularly natural colloids and NPs present in the aquatic systems. In this review, an overview of the chemistry of both manufactured and natural aquatic NPs is outlined. This review discusses the physico-chemical aspects of both type of NPs as an essential point to assess possible routes involved in manufactured NP fate in the natural aquatic environment and their toxicity. Key advances related to the characterisation of the manufactured NPs and natural colloids.

Titanate nanofibers as intelligent absorbents for the removal of radioactive ions from water

Layered titanate nanofibers can absorb bivalent ions from waste water via an ion exchange process. The sorption induces a considerable deformation of the layered structure, thus trapping the cations in the fibers permanently. Therefore, the fibers are desirable sorbents for the removal of toxic, radioactive Ra(2+) and Sr(2+) ions from water and subsequent safe disposal thereof.

Growth mechanism of titanium dioxide nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cells

Mesoporous films made of titanium dioxide nanowires are desirable for dye-sensitized solar cells because nanowires provide direct conduction pathways for photogenerated electrons. Anatase titanium dioxide nanowires with polycrystalline microstructure were synthesized on titanium foil using a three-step process. First, the top surface of the titanium foil was transformed to Na(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes through hydrothermal oxidation in NaOH. Next, the Na(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes were converted to H(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes by ion exchange. Finally, the H(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes were converted to polycrystalline anatase nanowires through a topotactic transformation. The film morphology evolution, crystal structure transformations and growth mechanism are described in detail. Titanium foil reacts with NaOH to form Na(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) sheets, which exfoliate and spiral into nanotubes. The Na(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes are immersed in HCl solution to replace the Na(+) ions with H(+) ions. During the topotactic transformation of H(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes to anatase TiO(2) nanowires, the sheets made of edge bonded TiO(6) octahedra in the H(2)Ti(2)O(4)(OH)(2) nanotubes dehydrate and move towards each other to form anatase crystals oriented along the nanotube axis which creates a polycrystalline nanowire. These mesoporous TiO(2) nanowire films were suitable for use as dye-sensitized solar cell photoanodes.

Synthesis and characterisation of clay-supported titania photocatalysts

This study examines the use of laponite, a synthetic smectite, which forms exfoliated silicate layers when dispersed in water, as an inorganic support for titania nanocrystals. Titania nanocrystals are prepared prior to addition to the clay dispersion, by a sol-gel synthesis incorporating a microwave hydrothermal step. The characteristics of the resultant structure such as titania phase, crystallite size, and particulate size are examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy.

Environmentally friendly methodologies of nanostructure synthesis

Environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies have gradually been implemented as viable techniques in the synthesis of a range of nanostructures. In this work, we focus on the application of green-chemistry principles to the synthesis of complex metal oxide and fluoride nanostructures. In particular, we describe advances in the use of the molten-salt synthetic methods, hydrothermal protocols, and template-directed techniques as environmentally sound, socially responsible, and cost-effective methodologies that allow us to generate nanomaterials without the need to sacrifice sample quality, purity, and crystallinity, while allowing control over size, shape, and morphology.

Unprecedented coloration of rutile titanium dioxide nanocrystalline thin films

In this communication, TiO2 nanocrystalline thin films synthesized by a room temperature (27 degrees C) chemical dip process. To our knowledge, this is first report of the preparation of nanoscale rutile TiO2 particles from common inorganic salt at such low temperature. Interestingly, unprecedented dynamic color change accompanies with titanium dioxide grain size, which can be seen with the naked eye that generated curiosity in our mind to check UV-vis absorption, where significant changes were observed. The room temperature synthesized thin films of rutile titanium dioxide make it a potential candidate for high-compatibility material, which can be used in artificial heart valves.

Structural Feature and Catalytic Performance of Cu Species Distributed over TiO2 Nanotubes

Copper oxide was deposited on tubular TiO2 via Cu2+ introduction into a titanate nanotube aggregate followed by calcination. The titanate has a layered structure allowing Cu intercalation and can readily transform into anatase TiO2 via calcination for condensation of the constituting layers. The activity of the tubular catalysts, with a Cu content of 2 wt %, in selective NO reduction with NH3 was compared with those of other 2 wt % Cu/TiO2 catalysts using TiO2 nanoparticles as the support. The Cu species supported on the nanotubes showed a higher activity than those supported on the nanoparticles. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis showed that the Cu species on all the TiO2 supports are in the +2 state. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) investigations of these catalysts reflected higher degrees of CuO dispersion and Cu2+ dissolution into the TiO2 lattice for the tubular Cu/TiO2 catalysts. Absence of CuO bulk detection by a temperature-programmed reduction analysis for the tubular catalysts confirmed the high CuO-dispersion feature of the tubular catalysts. The dissolution of Cu2+ to form a CuxTi1-xO2 type of solid solution was improved by using an in-situ ion-intercalation method for Cu deposition on the nanotubes. A fraction as high as 40% for Cu2+ dissolution was obtained for the tubular catalysts while only 20% was obtained for the particulate catalysts. The CuxTi1-xO2 species were considered one form of the active sites on the Cu/TiO2 catalysts.

Photoinduced Charge Separation in Titania Nanotubes

The photocatalytic one-electron oxidation reaction of an aromatic compound during UV light irradiation of titania nanotubes and nanoparticles was investigated using time-resolved diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Remarkably long-lived radical cations of the aromatic compound and trapped electrons were observed for the nanotubes when compared to those for nanoparticles. The influences of the morphology on the one-electron oxidation process of an aromatic compound adsorbed on the surface were discussed in terms of the charge recombination dynamics between the radical cation and electrons in TiO2.

Size- and Shape-Dependent Transformation of Nanosized Titanate into Analogous Anatase Titania Nanostructures

A size- and shape-dependent morphological transformation was demonstrated during the hydrothermal soft chemical transformation, in neutral solution, of titanate nanostructures into their anatase titania counterparts. Specifically, lepidocrocite hydrogen titanate nanotubes with diameters of approximately 10 nm were transformed into anatase nanoparticles with an average size of 12 nm. Lepidocrocite hydrogen titanate nanowires with relatively small diameters (average diameter range of < or = 200 nm) were converted into single-crystalline anatase nanowires with relatively smooth surfaces. Larger diameter (>200 nm) titanate wires were transformed into analogous anatase submicron wire motifs, resembling clusters of adjoining anatase nanocrystals with perfectly parallel, oriented fringes. Our results indicate that as-synthesized TiO2 nanostructures possessed higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial titania precursors from whence they were derived.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Single-Crystalline Anatase TiO2Nanorods with Nanotubes as the Precursor

Preparation of anatase TiO2 nanorods from solutions in the absence of surfactants or templates has rarely been reported. The present work has found that hydrothermal treatment of titanate nanotube suspensions under an acidic environment resulted in the formation of single-crystalline anatase nanorods with a specific crystal-elongation direction. The nanotube suspensions were prepared by treatment of TiO2 in NaOH, followed by mixing with HNO3 to different pH values. The crystal size of the anatase nanoparticles obtained from the hydrothermal treatment increased with the pH of the suspensions, and nanorods with an aspect ratio up to 6 and a long axis along the anatase [001] were obtained at a pH slightly less than 7. A mechanism for the tube-to-rod transformation has been proposed on the basis of the crystalline structures of the tubes and rods. The local shrinkage of the tube walls to form anatase crystallites and the subsequent oriented attachment of the crystallites have been suggested to be the key steps involved in the nanorod formation.

Structural Evolution in a Hydrothermal Reaction between Nb2O5and NaOH Solution: From Nb2O5Grains to Microporous Na2Nb2O6·2/3H2O Fibers and NaNbO3Cubes

Niobium pentoxide reacts actively with concentrate NaOH solution under hydrothermal conditions at as low as 120 degrees C. The reaction ruptures the corner-sharing of NbO(7) decahedra and NbO(6) octahedra in the reactant Nb(2)O(5), yielding various niobates, and the structure and composition of the niobates depend on the reaction temperature and time. The morphological evolution of the solid products in the reaction at 180 degrees C is monitored via SEM: the fine Nb(2)O(5) powder aggregates first to irregular bars, and then niobate fibers with an aspect ratio of hundreds form. The fibers are microporous molecular sieve with a monoclinic lattice, Na(2)Nb(2)O(6).(2)/(3)H(2)O. The fibers are a metastable intermediate of this reaction, and they completely convert to the final product NaNbO(3) cubes in the prolonged reaction of 1 h. This study demonstrates that by carefully optimizing the reaction condition, we can selectively fabricate niobate structures of high purity, including the delicate microporous fibers, through a direct reaction between concentrated NaOH solution and Nb(2)O(5). This synthesis route is simple and suitable for the large-scale production of the fibers. The reaction first yields poorly crystallized niobates consisting of edge-sharing NbO(6) octahedra, and then the microporous fibers crystallize and grow by assembling NbO(6) octahedra or clusters of NbO(6) octahedra and NaO(6) units. Thus, the selection of the fibril or cubic product is achieved by control of reaction kinetics. Finally, niobates with different structures exhibit remarkable differences in light absorption and photoluminescence properties. Therefore, this study is of importance for developing new functional materials by the wet-chemistry process.

Praseodymium Hydroxide and Oxide Nanorods and Au/Pr6O11 Nanorod Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Praseodymium hydroxide nanorods were synthesized by a two-step approach: First, metallic praseodymium was used to form praseodymium chloride, which reacted subsequently with KOH solution to produce praseodymium hydroxide. In the second step the hydroxide was treated with a concentrated alkaline solution at 180 degrees C for 45 h, yielding nanorods as shown by the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. The results of X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy experiments indicate that these nanorods are pure praseodymium hydroxide with a hexagonal structure, which can be converted into praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) nanorods of a face-centered cubic structure after calcination at 600 degrees C for 2 h in air. Gold was loaded on the praseodymium oxide nanorods using HAuCl4 as the gold source, and NaBH4 was used to reduce the gold species to metallic nanoparticles with sizes of 8-12 nm on the nanorod surface. These Au/Pr6O11 nanorods exhibit superior catalytic activity for CO oxidation.

Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of Titanate and Titania One-Dimensional Nanostructures Self-Assembled into Hollow Micrometer-Scale Spherical Aggregates

Three-dimensional, dendritic micrometer-scale spheres of alkali metal hydrogen titanate 1D nanostructures (i.e., nanowires and nanotubes) have been generated using a modified hydrothermal technique in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and an alkali metal hydroxide solution. Sea-urchin-like assemblies of these 1D nanostructures have been transformed into their hydrogen titanate analogues (lepidocrocite HxTi2-x/4squarex/4O4 (x approximately 0.7, square: vacancy)) by neutralization as well as into their corresponding anatase TiO2 nanostructured counterparts through a moderate high-temperature annealing dehydration process without destroying the 3D hierarchical structural motif. The as-prepared hollow spheres of titanate and titania 1D nanostructures have overall diameters, ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 microm, while the interior of these aggregates are vacuous with a diameter range of 100 to 200 nm. The constituent, component titanate and TiO2 1D nanostructures have a diameter range of 7+/-2 nm and lengths of up to several hundred nanometers. A proposed two-stage growth mechanism of these hollow micrometer-scale spheres was supported by time-dependent scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry data. We have also demonstrated that these assemblies are active photocatalysts for the degradation of synthetic Procion Red dye under UV light illumination.

Synthesis of classes of ternary metal oxide nanostructures

Nanoscale structures, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires, nanocubes, and nanotubes, have attracted extensive synthetic attention as a result of their novel size-dependent properties. Ideally, the net result of nanoscale synthesis is the production of structures that achieve monodispersity, stability, and crystallinity with a predictable morphology. Many of the synthetic methods used to attain these goals have been based on principles derived from semiconductor technology, solid state chemistry, and molecular inorganic cluster chemistry. We describe a number of advances that have been made in the reproducible synthesis of various ternary oxide nanomaterials, including alkaline earth metal titanates, alkali metal titanates, bismuth ferrites, ABO(4)-type oxides, as well as miscellaneous classes of ternary metal oxides.

CeO2 Nanorods and Gold Nanocrystals Supported on CeO2 Nanorods as Catalyst

The formation mechanism of uniform CeO2 structure at the nanometer scale via a wet-chemical reaction is of great interest in fundamental study as well as a variety of applications. In this work, large-scale well-crystallized CeO2 nanorods with uniform diameters in the range of 20-30 nm and lengths up to tens of micrometers are first synthesized through a hydrothermal synthetic route in 5 M KOH solution at 180 degrees C for 45 h without any templates and surfactants. The nanorod formation involves dehydration of CeO2 nanoparticles and orientation growth along the 110 direction in KOH solution. Subsequently, gold nanoparticles with crystallite sizes between 10 and 20 nm are loaded on the surface of CeO2 nanorods using HAuCl4 solution as the gold source and NaBH4 solution as a reducing agent. The synthesized Au/CeO2 nanorods demonstrate a higher catalytic activity in CO oxidation than the pure CeO2 nanorods.