Titanate and titania nanostructures and nanostructure assemblies, and methods of making same

Abstract

The invention relates to nanomaterials and assemblies including, a micrometer-scale spherical aggregate comprising: a plurality of one-dimensional nanostructures comprising titanium and oxygen, wherein the one-dimensional nanostructures radiate from a hollow central core thereby forming a spherical aggregate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 875,786, filed Dec. 18, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0002]This invention was made with support by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Contract DE-AC02-98CH10886, and the National Science Foundation (CAREER award DMR-0348239). The Government has certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Nanoscale synthesis has traditionally relied on generating nanomaterials from bulk precursors using a number of excellent though imperfect approaches. For instance, various “top-down” strategies, such as milling, imprinting, or etching techniques, are limited with respect to the available geometries, shapes, and sizes of synthesizable nanomaterials that can be efficiently generated. (Mirkin et al., MRS Bull. 2001, 26, 506; Xia et al., Adv. Mater. 2003, 15, 353.) In addition, diverse “bottom-up”...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes the invention of tiny spherical aggregates made up of titanium and oxygen nanostructures. These aggregates have improved photocatalytic ability. The invention also provides single crystalline anatase nanoparticles that are almost pure and free of defects. The nanoparticles can be easily scaled up and are not dependent on sacrificial templates for spatial confinement. Overall, the invention allows for the production of high-quality nanostructures in large quantities.

Problems solved by technology

For instance, various “top-down” strategies, such as milling, imprinting, or etching techniques, are limited with respect to the available geometries, shapes, and sizes of synthesizable nanomaterials that can be efficiently generated.

In addition, diverse “bottom-up” methodologies starting from either atomic or molecular precursors in the gaseous or solution phase often are unable to yield simultaneous control over nanoparticle structure, surface chemistry, monodispersity, crystal structure, and assembly.

However, there is limited precedence for producing titania nanostructures from an existing nanoscale motif.

However, before the present invention, preparation of higher-order assemblies of titanate and titania nanostructures have not yet been provided, particularly, such preparation has not been achieved without the use of templates.

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