Flower-like Surface Modification of Titania Materials

Abstract

Surface modification of titania materials with flower-like structure has been achieved simply by the treatment in lithium hydroxide aqueous solution under mild conditions. The flower-like structured materials were characterized. The analyses results indicate that the flower-like materials are composed of layered hydrous lithium titanate. It is suggested that the unique intercalation behavior of lithium ions into titania allows dissolution and re-precipitation of titania to form the flower-like structure. The obtained flower-like structure can be retained up to 700 ºC, while the crystal phase transforms into Li₄Ti₅O₁₂.