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A simple low-cost synthesis of brookite TiO2 nanoparticles

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Abstract

A new low-cost synthesis of brookite TiO2nanoparticles using isopropanol as both the solvent and ligand is described here. Other ligands can be bound to the titania surface during or postsynthesis to tailor the particles’ functionality. The often extremely rapid hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide has been successfully controlled so that nanoparticle growth is achieved. The resulting 4-nm particles are nonagglomerated, stable in solution, and have a low polydispersity. The synthesis is scalable and enables the simple fabrication of large amounts of titania nanoparticles that do not scatter visible light and are highly suited for incorporation into optical composites.

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Acknowledgments

We thank P. Provencio for the HRTEM images, D. Overmeyer for the XRD data, and A. Boal for the NMR spectra. We also thank A.F. Emery, J.L. Crandall, and D.E. Fish for assistance in sample preparation. Funding was provided by the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy. Sandia National Laboratories is a multiprogram laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185, USA

    Todd C. Monson, Mark A. Rodriguez, Jean L. Leger, Tyler E. Stevens & Dale L. Huber

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA

    Tyler E. Stevens

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  1. Todd C. Monson
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Correspondence to Todd C. Monson.

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Monson, T.C., Rodriguez, M.A., Leger, J.L. et al. A simple low-cost synthesis of brookite TiO2 nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Research 28, 348–353 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2012.358

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