One-pot synthesis of high aspect ratio titanium dioxide nanorods using oxalic acid as a complexing agent

• High aspect ratio anatase and rutile TiO2 nanorods were synthesized in one-pot.
• Key findings reported regarding role of NaOH and oxalic acid in nanorod formation.
• Tunability of crystal form of TiO2 nanorods through annealing temperature examined.

We report the novel one-pot synthesis of high aspect ratio titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods using a simple hydrothermal technique. Specifically, oxalic acid and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as additives to promote the conversion of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) into a one-dimensional TiO2 morphology. All resultant products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Influential factors on the growth mechanisms of TiO2 nanorods are discussed. This approach contrasts the typical approach of using spherical TiO2 as a starting material in the fabrication of one-dimensional TiO2 structures, and instead allows for the direct synthesis of TiO2 nanorods from TTIP precursors.