Template synthesis of Zn2TiO4 and Zn2Ti3O8 nanorods by hydrothermal-calcination combined processes

•Precursors can be used as a model for producing Zn2TiO4 and Zn2Ti3O8 nanorods.•They were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal-calcination combined processes.•Their formation mechanism was explained according to the experimental results.

ZnO nanorods coated with TiO2 nanoparticles of 2:1 and 2:3 mole ratios Zn:Ti were synthesized by 120 °C and 12 h hydrothermal reaction. Upon calcination the nanocomposites at 750 °C for 5 h, they were transformed into Zn2TiO4 and Zn2Ti3O8 nanorods. The XRD results revealed the presence of zinc orthotitanate (Zn2TiO4) and zinc polytitanate (Zn2Ti3O8) by calcination of the precursors with 2:1 and 2:3 mole ratios Zn:Ti. SEM and TEM analyses show TiO2 nanoparticles coated on ZnO nanorods. Upon calcination at high temperature, TiO2 nanoparticles fused and incorporated in ZnO nanorods to form zinc orthotitanate and zinc polytitanate nanorods. Their formation mechanism was proposed and discussed in this research.