Synthesis of mesoporous matemals based on titanium(iv)oxide and titanium nitride

Abstract

Nanoparticles of titania were obtained by the controlled hydrolysis of Ti(i-OC₃H₇)₄ in the reverse micelles of dodecylamine derived from dodecylamineisopropanol-water solution (water/oil microemulsion). The mesolamellar phase based on titanium nitride (TiN) was obtained by first decomposing TiN atleast partially using the 1:1 solution of acid mixture (HF and HNO₃ in the ratio of 9:1) in water and then templating onto the cationic surfactant namely, cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (abbreviated as CTAB) at 80°C. The synthesis of mesolamellar phase based on TiN involves the charge matched templating approach following the counter-ion mediated pathway. The samples thus obtained were characterized by small angle x-ray diffraction using Cuk_α radiation, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which indicated some satisfactory results.