title: Unusual enrichment and assembly of TiO2 nanocrystals at water/hydrophobic interfaces in a pure inorganic phase.
abstract: We report an unusual enrichment and assembly of TiO2 nanocrystals at water/hydrophobic interfaces through oxidative hydrolysis of TiCl3 in water. The assembly is a spontaneous process that involves on-water inorganic reaction and assembly in the absence of any organic phases. In this process, TiO2 nanoparticles are preferentially produced at water/hydrophobic interfaces. When the surface tension of the aqueous phase is above a critical value, ca. 25-35 mN m(-1), these TiO2 nanocrystals can spontaneously accumulate at water/air interfaces to produce macroscopic sized sheets and tubes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Guolei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang