Microwave-assisted synthesis of anatase TiO2 nanorods with mesopores

Pure anatase TiO2 nanorods with mesopores were synthesized by a simple and low cost microwave-assisted method when tri-block copolymer was used as a structure stabilization agent and TiCl4 as metal precursor. TEM investigation showed that larger nanorods were assembled by pearl-necklace-shaped nanorods following an oriented attachment mechanism in a specific direction. A proposed hypothetical scheme showed that the formation of lyotropic titania liquid crystal (TLC) serves a key role in the stabilization of nanorods, and the mesopores on nanorods are derived from the vacancy of inter-particles of nanorods and regions lacking inorganic precursors in the TLC structure. Control experiments showed that microwave treatment plays a key role in the maintenance of original morphologies and mesostructures free from destruction even under high temperature calcinations.