Hydrothermal synthesis of anatase assemblies with an asterisk shape

Abstract

Titanate aqueous sols were prepared by mixing titanium isopropoxide and tetramethylammonium hydroxide and then diluting with water. The hydrothermal treatment of the aqueous sols led to the formation of anatase assemblies with asterisk-shape. It is noteworthy that the asterisk-shaped assemblies consisted of anatase with tetragonal crystal system. The purpose of this study is to clarify the reason why the asterisk-shaped anatase assemblies were formed.