Synthesis of recrystallized anatase TiO2 mesocrystals with Wulff shape assisted by oriented attachment

Nanoscale. 2011 Apr;3(4):1910-6. doi: 10.1039/c0nr01016b. Epub 2011 Mar 18.

Abstract

In this work, we describe a kinetically controlled crystallization process assisted by an oriented attachment (OA) mechanism based on a nonaqueous sol-gel synthetic method (specifically, the reaction of titanium(IV) chloride (TiCl(4)) with n-octanol) to prepare re-crystallized anatase TiO(2) mesocrystals (single crystal). The kinetics study revealed a multi-step and hierarchical process controlled by OA, and a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis clearly shows that the synthesized mesocrystal presents a truncated bipyramidal Wulff shape, indicating that its surface is dominated by {101} facets. This shape is developed during the recrystallization step. The material developed here displayed superior photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation compared to TiO(2)-P25 as a benchmarking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium