TiO₂nanostructures, membranes and films, and methods of making same

摘要

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for synthesizing macro-sized nanostructures. The method in one embodiment comprises the steps of mixing an amount of TiO2 powders with a volume of an alkali or alkaline solution to form a mixture, and heating the mixture at a temperature higher than 160° C. for a period of time effective to allow TiO2-containing, macro-sized nanostructures to form, wherein the TiO2-containing, macro-sized nanostructures form in an environment that has no presence of a substrate that comprises Ti. These TiO2-containing, macro-sized nanostructures can be utilized to form a free standing membrane, and/or a three-dimensional (3D) structure.

主权项

1. A method for synthesizing TiO2-based nanowires, comprising:
(a) adding an amount of TiO2 powders to a volume of an alkaline solution in a container to form a mixture, wherein the TiO2 powders are dispersed throughout the mixture, and the mixture consists of the TiO2 powder and the alkaline solution, wherein the alkaline solution is formed of an alkali material and water; (b) sealing the container containing the mixture; (c) heating the sealed container containing the mixture at a temperature higher than 160° C. for a period of time effective to allow TiO2-based nanowires that are longer than about 1 mm to form; (d) forming, from the mixture, the TiO2-based nanowires that are dispersed throughout the mixture and that are longer than about 1 mm, wherein the TiO2-based nanowires are substantially in TiO2—B phase or titanate phase; and (e) casting the TiO2-based nanowires that are longer than about 1 mm over a template to allow a spontaneous self-organization of the nanowires to occur.