Lattice-intercalation effects on surface properties of titanate nanobelts
by Williams, Roger; Subramanian, Raman; Tian, Z. Ryan
Titanate nanomaterials have structural characteristics beyond that of clays. Due to a neg. charged lattice matrix of edge-shared TiO6-octahedra, the location of intercalated cations within the interlayer space may dictate the charge-conductions. This environment may in turn govern the lattice-framework's stability and surface properties, based upon our preliminary data. On that basis, these nanomaterials have been found in our lab to possess superb biol. compatibility that is closely related to the types of the intercalated cations. In addn., a prolonged agitation was proven to enable us to manipulate the titanate nanofiber's length. In a parallel study, a ripening was obsd. in the post-synthesis aging process at room temp. This process implied, for the first time, a new way of changing the nanofiber's aspect ratio in nanosynthesis. This novel post-synthesis manipulation of aspect ratio has enabled us to successfully improve our yield of the nanofiber-membrane by four folds, which is significant in scale-up fabrication of the nanofiber-entangled membranes. Furthermore, after a surface modification, the titanate materials have been found useful in electrochem. direct sensing of relative humidity and volatile org. compds. (VOCs, e.g. Acetone) at room temp. on an interdigitated electrode surface.