title: Synthesis of recrystallized anatase TiO2 mesocrystals with Wulff shape assisted by oriented attachment.
abstract: In this work, we describe a kinetically controlled crystallization process assisted by an oriented attachment (OA) mechanism based on a nonaqueous sol-gel synthetic method (specifically, the reaction of titanium(IV) chloride (TiCl(4)) with n-octanol) to prepare re-crystallized anatase TiO(2) mesocrystals (single crystal). The kinetics study revealed a multi-step and hierarchical process controlled by OA, and a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis clearly shows that the synthesized mesocrystal presents a truncated bipyramidal Wulff shape, indicating that its surface is dominated by {101} facets. This shape is developed during the recrystallization step. The material developed here displayed superior photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation compared to TiO(2)-P25 as a benchmarking.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP 13656-905, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Ricardo H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Stroppa
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Edson R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Leite
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium