Facile synthesis of hierarchical anatase microspheres

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2013-02, Vol.551, p.481-484
• Main Authors: Jardiel, Teresa, Calatayud, David G., Rodríguez, Mónica, Peiteado, Marco, Fernández-Hevia, Daniel, Caballero, Amador C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloys; Anatase; Catalysis; Chemical synthesis; Chemical synthesis methods; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Mesoporous materials; Methods of nanofabrication; Microspheres; Nanopowders; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanostructure; Nanostructured materials; Physics; Precipitation; Precursors; Rendering; Synthesis; Vaporization
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.10.174

► Hierarchical anatase microspheres were made from cost-effective synthesis method. ► Diluted solutions of the Ti-alcoxy precursor and ethanolic medium resulted crucial. ► An easy to handle powder was produced in large batch volumes for scale-up preparation. A versatile synthesis method is proposed to fabricate hierarchical anatase microspheres under soft conditions and rendering batch volumes significantly large for practical scale-up preparation. The strategy is based on the use of non-aqueous conditions to prevent the accelerated hydrolysis of the Titanium precursor. Water traces from the air atmosphere are only incorporated during the vaporization stage, allowing a controlled precipitation process. Diluted precursor solutions and ethanolic medium promote the self-organization of the precipitated nanoparticles into stable units of spherical shape. The calcination of the obtained powder finally leads to a homogenous, monodisperse and easy to handle population of nanostructured anatase microspheres with high crystallinity and large surface area.