Synthesis of Magnéli phases in a high-speed electric discharge plasma jet

Abstract

Relevance. Currently, there is an active search for photocatalytic materials suitable for water decomposition and hydrogen production that exhibit activity when exposed to visible light, and are also accessible, chemically stable and safe. In this regard, a number of materials with the general formula TinO2n-1 (n=2–10) are distinguished, they are called Magnéli phases. Despite the fact that Magnéli phases exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity compared to traditional titanium oxides (rutile, anatase, brookite), their practical application is currently extremely difficult due to the complexity of their synthesis. Promising approaches are those that provide well-controlled conditions with the possibility of rapid stabilization of the system, among which plasma synthesis methods stand out. Aim. To develop a method for synthesizing a product containing Magnéli phases in a high-speed jet of electric discharge plasma. Objects. Dispersed materials obtained in the Ti-O system. Methods. Plasma dynamic synthesis, X-ray diffractometry (X-ray phase analysis), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. Results. Using a high-speed jet of electric discharge plasma generated by a coaxial magnetoplasma accelerator, experimental studies were performed on the synthesis of non-stoichiometric titanium oxides in a carbon dioxide environment. The composition and microstructure of the obtained dispersed products were studied. It was revealed that the materials contain Magnéli phases TinO2n−1, as well as traditional stoichiometric rutile and anatase. From the point of view of the efficiency of obtaining Magnéli phases, the single-pulse mode of operation is more attractive (content over 50%), while the efficiency of CO2 conversion is higher in the multi-pulse mode (up to 10% of CO2 is converted into CO). A distinctive feature of the synthesized materials at both the micro- and nanolevels is the tendency to form particles with a high degree of sphericity. The nanofraction of the products mainly consists of rounded particles with sizes up to hundreds of nanometers, of which the Magnéli phases primarily include nanoparticles with a characteristic highly defective crystalline structure with dislocation shifts.