Synthesis of the (hydroxypropyl)cellulose–titania hybrid nanocomposite as seen by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

AbstractThe nanocomposite of the (hydroxypropyl)cellulose–titania hybrid was prepared using the (hydroxypropyl)cellulose (HPC) and (tetra‐isopropyl)orthotitanate (TIPT) modified by the methacrylic acid (MAA) as a sol–gel precursor. The Raman investigations of the TIPT with MAA mixtures revealed that these mixtures formed an intermolecular complex determined by the non‐hydrolytic condensation of the constituents. In spite of this, the MAA/TIPT precursor can be used as a solvent for the HPC. The high viscosity of the homogenous liquid of HPC in the TIPT/MAA system was obtained and the sol–gel process under an influence of the moisture from the air could be conducted. The Raman investigations of HPC–titania hybrid showed octahedrally coordinated titania atoms [TiO6] embodied in the HPC environment. Although the chelating bond between the octahedrally coordinated titania [TiO6] and the MAA still occurred. The nanosize properties of TiO2 prepared by calcinations of HPC–titania hybrids were studied by the Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray investigations and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.