Synthesis and characterization of rutile TiO2 nanowhiskers

Abstract

Rutile TiO2 nanowhiskers have been synthesized by annealing a precursor powder in which NaCl and Ti(OH)4 particles were homogeneously mixed. The precursor powder was prepared by mixing three kinds of inverse microemulsions (μE) containing TiCl4 aqueous solution, ammonia, and NaCl aqueous solution, respectively, followed by washing with acetone. Annealing temperature and packing density of Ti(OH)4 in the precursor powder influenced the formation of rutile nanowhiskers. The optimum temperature was 750 °C. TiO2 nanowhiskers obtained by annealing a precursor powder in which the molar ratio of sodium to titanium was 400 at 750 °C for 2 h had diameters of 10–50 nm and lengths of several micrometers. They were straight rods with square cross sections, and the side surfaces were composed of four equivalent {110} planes.