Synthesis and characterization of rutile TiO2 nanowhiskers

Rutile TiO2, nanowhiskers have been synthesized by annealing a precursor po wder in which NaCl and Ti(OH), particles were homogeneously mixed. The prec ursor powder was prepared by mixing three kinds of inverse microemulsions ( mu E) containing TiCl4, aqueous solution, ammonia, and NaCl aqueous solutio n, respectively, followed by washing with acetone. Annealing temperature an d packing density of Ti(OH), in the precursor powder influenced the formati on of rutile nanowhiskers. The optimum temperature was 750 degrees C. TiO2, nanowhiskers obtained by annealing a precursor powder in which the molar r atio of sodium to titanium was 400 at 750 degrees C for 2 h had diameters o f 10-50 nm and lengths of several micrometers. They were straight rods with square cross sections, and the side surfaces were composed of four equival ent (110) planes.