Synthesis and characterization of nanosize sodium titanates

This paper describes the synthesis and peroxide-modification of nanosize monosodium titanate (nMST). The synthesis method was derived from a sol–gel process used to produce micron-sized monosodium titanate (MST). Key modifications to this process include altering reagent concentrations, omitting a particle seed step, and introducing a non-ionic surfactant to facilitate control of particle formation and growth. The nMST material exhibits spherical-shaped particle morphology with a monodisperse distribution of particle diameters in the range from 100 to 150 nm. The BET surface area and isoelectric point of the nMST measured 285 m2 g−1 and 3.34 pH units, respectively, which is more than an order of magnitude higher in surface area and a pH unit lower than that measured for the microsize MST. The nMST material serves as an effective ion exchanger under both weakly acidic and strongly alkaline conditions and was converted to a peroxotitanate form by reaction with hydrogen peroxide.