Phase transformation of protonic layered tetratitanate under solvothermal conditions

Phase transformation behaviour of the protonic layered tetratitanate, H2Ti4O9·nH2O, in air, water, methanol and ethanol has been investigated. H2Ti4O9·nH2O transformed in a series of steps to H2Ti8O 17 , monoclinic TiO2, anatase and rutile. All products retained fibrous morphology similar to that of K2Ti4O9 used as the starting material, however, the phase transformation temperature and the microstructure of the products changed significantly depending on the heating environment. Nanosize crystals of TiO2 possessing high crystallinity could be obtained by solvothermal reactions using water, methanol and ethanol as reaction media.