Mechanochemical-molten salt synthesis of Na 2Ti 6O 13 nanobelts

Abstract

A novel route for the preparation of Na 2Ti 6O 13 nanobelts by mechanochemical treatment of the TiCl 4–Na 2SO 4·10H 2O–Na 2CO 3 mixture for 5 min followed by molten salt synthesis is described. The mixture of the amorphous TiO 2 and NaCl–Na 2SO 4· xH 2O–Na 2CO 3 salt matrix was generated during milling. The molten salt synthesis of the Na 2Ti 6O 13 nanobelts with lengths up to 0.5–2 μm and with a width in the range of 20–250 nm was carried out in the temperature range of 700–800 °C for 1 h. The partial formation of titanate nanotubes was observed after annealing at 600 °C and washing procedure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to characterize the formation and structure of Na 2Ti 6O 13 nanobelts.