Synthesis and Characterization of Ion‐Exchangeable Titanate Nanotubes

Titanate nanotubes were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The optimized synthesis (100-180 degrees C, longer than 48 h), thermal and hydrothermal stability, ion exchangeability and consequent magnetic and optical properties of the titanate nanotubes were systematically studied in this paper. First, nanotubes with monodisperse pore-size distribution were prepared. The formation mechanism of the titanate nanotubes was also studied. Second, the thermal and hydrothermal stability were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Results showed that sodium ions played a significant role in…