Synthesis of anatase TiO2 with exposed (100) facets and enhanced electrorheological activity

Abstract

Herein, a simple hydrothermal method is employed to synthesize anatase TiO₂ with dominant (100) facets, as a precursor, using titanate nanofibers derived from alkali treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are carried out to confirm the surface morphology and phase structure of the TiO₂ product. The formation mechanism of TiO₂ enclosed by (100) and (101) facets is deduced to be the selective adsorption of OH⁻ on the (100) facets of anatase TiO₂. Electroheological (ER) experiments indicate that the tetragonal-facet-rod anatase TiO₂ with exposed (100) facets exhibits an excellent ER performance with a high ER efficiency of up to 52.5, which results from the anisotropy of its special morphology. In addition, the effect of shape on its dielectric property is investigated via broadband dielectric spectroscopy.