Large-scale synthesis of single-crystalline rutile TiO2 nanorods via a one-step solution route

A convenient hydrothermal method has been developed to synthesize rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods by employing TiCl3 and ethanol. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations reveal that the rods with average diameter of 35 nm are well dispersed with single-crystalline nature. In addition, part nanorods are attached by some nanoparticles. The band gap Eg of obtained TiO2 is about 3.0 eV by ultraviolet (UV)–vis absorption spectrum. An important role of ethanol played in the formation of rod-like nanocrystals is found and the concentration of HCl could also influence their morphologies.