title: Synthesis and characterisation of clay-supported titania photocatalysts.
abstract: This study examines the use of laponite, a synthetic smectite, which forms exfoliated silicate layers when dispersed in water, as an inorganic support for titania nanocrystals. Titania nanocrystals are prepared prior to addition to the clay dispersion, by a sol-gel synthesis incorporating a microwave hydrothermal step. The characteristics of the resultant structure such as titania phase, crystallite size, and particulate size are examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM), and infrared spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Materials Research Program, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Ray L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Huai Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhu