Sodium titanate nanorods: Preparation, microstructure characterization and photocatalytic activity

A method for the preparation of sodium titanate nanorods with diameter around 50 nm and lengths up to 2–3 μm is described. The precursor prepared by the reaction of sodium titanate with ethylene glycol readily aggregated into 1D nanostructures. During heating of this precursor up to 900 °C the glycolate complex of sodium titanate decomposed and a crystalline product of the chemical composition Na2Ti6O13 with the morphology of nanorods was formed. The initial sodium titanate sample as well as samples heat treated to 550–900 °C, respectively, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, HRTEM) thermal analysis methods (DTA–TG-coupled with mass spectroscopy and emanation thermal analysis) as well as by surface area and porosity measurements. It was demonstrated that the nanorods formed by heating of the precursor at 900 °C/2 h exhibit a good photacatalytic activity for the decomposition of 4-chlorophenol in an aqueous slurry under UV radiation.