The Synthesis of Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles by Solvothermal Method using Ionic Liquid as Additive

The solvothermal reactions of Ti(OiPr)(4) in alcohol using ionic liquid as additive were investigated. In the presence of [BMIM][Cl], [BMIM][Br], [BMIM][NTf2], [BMIM][SO3Me], [BMIM][SO4Me], or [BMIM][OTf] (BMIM = 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium), pure anatase nanoparticles were obtained. The controlled hydrolysis of Ti(OiPr)(4) in the presence of ionic liquids to form titanium oxo clusters plays a key role in the formation of anatase nanostructures, and ionic liquids can be repeatedly used to synthesise anatase nanoparticles. However, in the presence of [BMIM][PF6], [BMIM](2)[Ti(OH)(6)] was obtained by an anion exchange reaction.