Insights of the formation mechanism of nanostructured titanium oxide polymorphs from different macromolecular metal-complex precursors.

The insight into the mechanism of the unprecedented formation of pure anatase TiO from the macromolecular (Chitosan)•(TiOSO) precursor has been investigated using micro Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). The formation of a graphitic film was observed upon annealing of the macromolecular precursor, reaching a maximum at about 500 °C due to decomposition of the polymeric chain of the Chitosan and (PS-co-4-PVP) polymers. The proposed mechanism is the nucleation and growth of TiO nanoparticles over this graphitic substrate.