Mesoporous TiO2-B nanowires synthesized from tetrabutyl titanate

Ultralong mesoporous TiO2-B nanowires were synthesized via a hybrid hydrothermal-ion exchanging-thermal treatment using tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) as a raw material. The phase transformations and porous structures of TiO2-B nanowires were characterized and studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption–desorption measurement. Mesoporous TiO2-B nanowires showed a length of several micrometers and diameter of about 25 nm. The porous structures of obtained TiO2-B nanowires were demonstrated by BJH pore distribution measurement. The wirelike morphologies and porous structures of monodisperse nanowires calcined at 600 °C showed little change, which indicated that such nanowires possessed high thermal stability. The formation mechanism of TiO2-B nanowires with mesoporous structures were also discussed based on our experimental results.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Synthesis of ultralong mesoporous TiO2-B nanowires from protonated dititanate. ► Porous structures of TiO2-B nanowires possessed high thermal stability. ► The formation of TiO2-B nanowires follows the oriented attachment mechanism.