Low-temperature and ambient-pressure synthesis of TiO₂(B)

Nanocrystalline TiO2(B) powder was obtained by the hydrolysis of an ionic liquid like titania precursor (the triethylammonium salt of hexafluorotitanate) induced by the addition of boric acid in the presence of dopamine. The entire synthetic procedure was carried out at ambient pressure and low temperature (85 °C). X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction characterization techniques confirmed the formation of the TiO2(B) phase. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy indicated that TiO2(B) was the major component, although it also revealed the presence of anatase as a minor component (< 10%). The as-prepared material has a mesoporous architecture with high specific surface area (235 m2 g- 1). © 2010 Elsevier B.V.