Tailored synthesis of hierarchical spinous hollow titania hexagonal prisms via a self-template route

Abstract

Novel hierarchical spinous hollow titania hexagonal prisms are prepared through a facile fluorine-free self-template route using Ti₂O₃(H₂O)₂(C₂O₄)·H₂O (TC) hexagonal prisms as a precursor. The hollowing transformation can be elucidated by the template-free Kirkendall effect, and diverse nanostructures can also be synthesized during the conversion process, such as the spinous core–shell and yolk–shell nanocomposites. The hierarchical hollow microparticles are composed of ultrathin nanobelts of 50–100 nm in length and about 10 nm in thickness, and possess a higher surface area of up to 163 m² g⁻¹ compared with solid microparticles (49 m² g⁻¹). This type of morphology is of great interest for lithium-ion batteries because of its shorter length for Li⁺ transport and better electrode–electrolyte contact.