Thermal stability of nanostructured titania and titania–ceria ceramic powders prepared by the sol–gel process

The preparation and characterisation of nanometre TiO2 powder materials, prepared by the sol–gel method, are described. Controlled hydrolysis of a titanium-2-methyl-2-butoxide precursor was applied to obtain alcosols with particles (in alcohol) smaller than 5 nm. Powders obtained from this sol were heat treated and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction, differential calorimetry, thermogravimetry and N2 adsorption. TiO2 particles grew during annealing. Ce addition decreased the growth rate.