Non-solvolytic synthesis of aqueous soluble TiO2 nanoparticles and real-time dynamic measurements of the nanoparticle formation
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Additional file 2: Supplementary Information
Date
2012-07-07
Authors
Chen, Lan
Rahme, Kamil
Holmes, Justin D.
Morris, Michael A.
Slater, Nigel K. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Open
Published Version
Abstract
Highly aqueously dispersible (soluble) TiO2 nanoparticles are usually synthesized by a solution-based sol–gel (solvolysis/condensation) process, and no direct precipitation of titania has been reported. This paper proposes a new approach to synthesize stable TiO2 nanoparticles by a non-solvolytic method - direct liquid phase precipitation at room temperature. Ligand-capped TiO2 nanoparticles are more readily solubilized compared to uncapped TiO2 nanoparticles, and these capped materials show distinct optical absorbance/emission behaviors. The influence of ligands, way of reactant feeding, and post-treatment on the shape, size, crystalline structure, and surface chemistry of the TiO2 nanoparticles has been thoroughly investigated by the combined use of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL). It is found that all above variables have significant effects on the size, shape, and dispersivity of the final TiO2 nanoparticles. For the first time, real-time UV–vis spectroscopy and PL are used to dynamically detect the formation and growth of TiO2 nanoparticles in solution. These real-time measurements show that the precipitation process begins to nucleate after an initial inhibition period of about 1 h, thereafter a particle growth occurs and reaches the maximum point after 2 h. The synthesis reaction is essentially completed after 4 h.
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Keywords
Synthesis , Nanoparticles , TiO2 , Aqueously soluble , Direct liquid phase precipitation , Dynamic real-time measurement
Citation
CHEN, L., RAHME, K., HOLMES, J. D., MORRIS, M. A. & SLATER, N. K. H. 2012. Non-solvolytic synthesis of aqueous soluble TiO2 nanoparticles and real-time dynamic measurements of the nanoparticle formation. Nanoscale Research Letters, 7, 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1556-276X-7-297