Output details

Metastable nature of titanate nanotubes in an alkaline environment

Significance of output:

The unusual effect of over-intensification of the alkaline hydrothermal synthesis of titanate nanotubes resulting in the formation of thermodynamically stable titanate nanofibers, rather than nanotubes, is reported for the first time. Two methods of process acceleration were used, namely, rapid agitation and seeding. These results provide an important insight into the mechanism of formation of nanotubes and highlight their metastable nature which is critical for both laboratory synthesis and practical applications.