Hydrothermal synthesis of brookite-type titanium dioxide with unique morphology

Abstract

Brookite-type titanium dioxide with unique morphology could be obtained by hydrothermal treatment of titanium citrate complexes in the presence of excess amount of ammonium solution. With increasing ammonium concentration, brookite phase gradually appeared, while single phase anatase was synthesized without additional amount of ammonia. The aspect ratio of the obtained brookite particles increased with amount of added ammonia and ribbon-like agglomerates were produced at high ammonium concentration. The reason why the brookite with this unique morphology is obtained may be attributable to the character of titanium citrate complex itself, because the same type of particles could not be obtained using other titanium complexes.