Hydrothermal conversion of Nb-anatase nanoparticles into layered titanates

The formation mechanism of layered titanates is described and Nb incorporation into these layers discussed. Titanate-based structures were obtained in highly alkaline solutions by the hydrothermal synthesis of Nb-anatase powder prepared by a modified sol-gel method. Samples were characterised by XRD, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, SEM and TEM (including EDS). The results confirmed the formation of layered trititanates, after 3 h of hydrothermal synthesis. Raman and EDS analyses have shown that Nb ions enter the layered structures. Results suggest the restructuring of the starting powder into individual trititanate nanosheets, as a possible formation mechanism of layered titanates, which proceeds with their roll up into a one-dimensional structure.