Synthesis and Characterization of Anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> Microspheres Self-Assembled by Ultrathin Nanosheets

In this paper, we report a novel anCd simple method for synthesizing the microspheres self-assembled from ultrathin anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> nanosheets with a high percentage of (001) facets via the hydrolysis process of the single-reagent (potassium fluorotitanate). We then used optical...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jian Di, Haibo Yan, Zhuoyu Liu, Xing Ding
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/11/2870
Description
Summary:In this paper, we report a novel anCd simple method for synthesizing the microspheres self-assembled from ultrathin anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> nanosheets with a high percentage of (001) facets via the hydrolysis process of the single-reagent (potassium fluorotitanate). We then used optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution confocal laser Raman spectroscopy to characterize the microspheres generated under different conditions. The study found that the size of the anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> microspheres synthesized was 0.5–3 μm. As the synthesis time increased, the corroded surface of the microspheres gradually increased, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the edges and corners of the anatase nanosheets. The exposure percentage of the (001) facets of ultrathin anatase nanosheets synthesized for 2 h at 180–200 °C are close to 100%. The microsphere whose surface is completely covered by these anatase nanosheets also has nearly 100% exposed (001) facets. This new anatase nanosheet-based self-assembled microsphere will have great application potential in pollution prevention, environmental protection, and energy fields.
ISSN:1996-1944