Titanate Nanotubes and Nanorods Prepared from Rutile Powder

Abstract

Various sized hollow nanotubes and solid nanorods are synthesized from rutile powder (particle size ≈ 120–280 nm) using a relatively simple chemical approach in alkaline solution. The nanotubes and nanorods occur as hydrated phases: TiO 2·1.25H 2 O and TiO 2·1.0H 2 O, respectively. The rutile particles react in concentrated NaOH solution under hydrothermal conditions, yielding layered sodium titanate in the form of either polycrystalline nanotubes or single‐crystal nanorods. The form of the product depends on the temperature and time of hydrothermal reaction: Therefore, this is a report of the template‐free control of the degree of crystallinity, crystal structure, and morphology of these types of nanoscale sodium titanate products. By treating the nanotubes and nanorods with dilute HCl, the sodium ions within them could be exchanged for protons, and the morphology of the nanotubes and nanorods is retained, resulting in hydrogen titanate nanotubes and nanorods. The electrochemical performance of dehydrated hydrogen titanate nanotubes and nanorods is explored in terms of their potential performance as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. The discharge capacity is higher for thin anatase nanorods converted from hydrogen titanate nanotubes when compared to the calcined (at 500 °C and 700 °C) products of hydrogen titanate nanorods. The significance of these findings is the possibility of fabricating delicate, nanostructured materials directly from industrial raw materials, because the natural mineral of titanium dioxide and most of the raw industrial TiO 2 products exist in the rutile phase.