Synthesis and characterization of composite Fe-Ti oxides nanoparticles with high surface area obtained via AACVD

The synthesis of composite Fe-Ti oxides nanoparticles was achieved through the modification of a precursor solution containing different Ti loadings. The nanostructured materials were produced via aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition method using the conditions reported elsewhere for the synthesis of pure magnetite nanoparticles. The microstructure, morphology, saturation magnetization and surface area of the produced materials were studied using grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, magnetic sample magnetometry and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller method by multi point surface area analysis. Outcomes showed that single crystalline Fe and Ti oxides as well as composite Fe-Ti materials were formed when Ti was added to the precursor solution. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the coexistence of multiple oxides in the samples. Moreover, as the amount of Ti increased, the development of an amorphous phase was seen. An evident modification of the surface morphology of the particles occurred with the change of Fe:Ti ratio, shifting from uniform and smooth, to rough surfaces. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed these observations and revealed that solid-like spherical particles gradually formed as more and more Ti was incorporated. The saturation magnetization values ranged from 30 emu g(-1) to about 0.56 emu g(-1), less than that of pure Fe3O4 of 45 emu g(-1). Surface areas ranging from 107 m(2) g to 204 m(2).g(-1) were obtained. Yet, Batch experiments are needed in order to evaluate how the surface area and heterogeneous composition affect the adsorption capacity of the prepared materials.