We report a novel synthesis of Ti5Si3 nanoparticles (NPs) via the magnesio-reduction of TiO2 NPs and SiO2 in eutectic LiCl-KCl molten salts at 700 °C. The Ti5Si3 particle size (∼25 nm) is confined to the nanoscale due to the partial dissolution of Mg and silica in the molten salts and a subsequent heterogeneous reduction on the surface of the TiO2 NPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStacking faults are an important class of crystal defects commonly observed in nanostructures of close packed crystal structures. They can bridge the transition between hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) and cubic zinc blende (ZB) phases, with the most known example represented by the "nanowire (NW) twinning superlattice". Understanding the formation mechanisms of stacking faults is crucial to better control them and thus enhance the capability of tailoring physical properties of nanomaterials through defect engineering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetal-matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) have great potential for a wide range of applications. To provide high performance, effective nanoparticle (NP) dispersion in the liquid and NP capture within the metal grains during solidification is essential. In this work, we present the novel synthesis and structural characterization of surface-clean titanium diboride (TiB2) NPs with an average particle size of 20 nm, by ultrasonic-assisted reduction of fluorotitanate and fluoroboride salts in molten aluminum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanocrystalline titania powders doped with either zirconium or silicon were synthesized at low temperature via destabilization of ionic-liquid-like precursors. Titania materials prepared at low temperature (85 degrees C) consisted of anatase nanocrystals of about 25 nm, according to powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Dopant incorporation was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and it was found that dopant/titanium ratios in the powder (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnatase and rutile biphasic nanostructured titania (TiO(2)) has been synthesized via hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide in an aqueous solution of hydrobromic acid (HBr) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 80 degrees C for 16 h. The presence of DMF, which was partially hydrolyzed during the process, determined the formation of a biphasic material. Powder x-ray diffraction showed the presence of both anatase and rutile titania phases in a ratio of approx.
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