Fabrication and growth mechanism of three-dimensional spherical TiO2 architectures consisting of TiO2nanorods with {110} exposed facets

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the fabrication of a novel rutile TiO₂ architecture consisting of nanorods with {110} exposed facets through a simple hydrothermal method without using any templates. An outside-in ripening mechanism is proposed to account for the formation of the TiO₂ architectures.

The formation of the TiO₂ architectures can be attributed to the Ostwald step rule and highly acidic medium. Significantly, the current method is suitable for high-yield (>98%) production of the TiO₂ architectures with nearly 100% morphological yield. This research provides a facile route to fabricate rutile TiO₂ with three-dimensional microstructures based on nanounits. It is easy to realize their industrial-scale synthesis and application because of the simple synthesis method, low cost, and high yield.