Synthesis of novel composite materials via the deposition of precious metals onto protonated titanate (TiO2) nanotubes

Methods for the deposition of precious metals (Au, Pt, Pd and ruthenium hydrated oxide) onto the surface of nanotubular titanates are considered. Viable techniques include preliminary ion exchange of precious metal cations onto the nanotubes followed by chemical, electrochemical or photochemical reduction to the metal. The morphology and size of the metal nanoparticles ranged from spheroidal particles of a few nanometres to larger, rod like particles. The deposits, which were densely loaded onto the surface and were uniformly distributed, had a high surface area and good chemical stability. The size of metal nanoparticles ranged from 1 to 50 nm.