Heterogeneous reaction between Li and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles under ultra-high vacuum

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 Aug 7;15(29):12283-90. doi: 10.1039/c3cp51600h. Epub 2013 Jun 17.

Abstract

We demonstrate heterogeneous chemistry between Li and anatase TiO2 nanoparticles under UHV. The reduction of TiO2 upon formation of lithium oxide proceeds via two different schemes: one that reduces Ti(4+) to Ti(3+) and one that reduces Ti(4+) directly to Ti(2+). The second scheme sets in only after a critical degree of reduction (i.e. Li amount) has been reached (Li/Ti = 0.28) and is associated with restructuring of the film. Two films with different morphologies were compared and the results demonstrate that the reaction between Li and larger TiO2 structures (30-50 nm) is kinetically restricted while such effects were significantly less prominent for small particles (10 nm).