Synthesis of Sodium Titanate Nanotubes by Microwave Hydrothermal Method

The effects of raw material, reaction time, NaOH concentration were studied on the synthesis of sodium titanate nanotubes via a microwave hydrothermal method. Sodium titanate nanotubes with a uniform morphology were synthesized in NaOH solution (8~12mol/L), heated by a microwave power of 195W over 70min. The samples were investigated by means of TEM, XRD, BET, EDAX and N2 adsorption/desorption technique. The nanotubes derived from the microwave hydrothermal method features shortened reaction time and higher thermal stability, with the tube structure collapsed at a temperature over 500℃, 100℃ higher than that synthesized by the ordinary hydrothermal method. Furthermore, the samples after calcination at 300℃ will convert into single crystalline sodium titanate nanotubes.