PVP-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanostructures

Abstract

Titanium oxide (TiO2) nanostructures were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. In this report, the effect of various reaction parameters included the concentration of hydrofluoric acid (HF), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and solvent on the synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed various morphologies of TiO2 nanostructures synthesized such as nanosheets, nanorods and cube-like TiO2 nanostructures. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further indicated the structure and size of the TiO2 nanostructures. Besides, the tetragonal anatase TiO2 nanostructures were identified by using X-ray diffractometer (XRD). TiO2 anatase nanosheets were believed to exert good electrochemical properties. Meanwhile, the cube-like TiO2 nanostructures synthesized would be of great interest for lithium storage studies.