Synthesis and characterization of a novel layered titanium phosphate

Abstract

A novel metastable layered titanium phosphate has been synthesized by the treatment of layered titanates (Na2Ti3O7 and Na4Ti9O20) with 1–2 M phosphoric acid solution at 120–150 °C. Based on the data of 31P MAS NMR and IR spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, and thermal and elemental analysis, the formula Ti2O3(H2PO4)2 · 2H2O was assigned to the novel compound. The layered nature of the compound was confirmed from n-alkylamine intercalation and the ion exchange behavior toward alkali, alkaline earth, and some transition metal ions.