Synthesis and characterization of pyrochlore-type yttrium titanate nanoparticles by modified sol–gel method

Pyrochlore-type yttrium titanate (Y2Ti2O7) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a simple soft-chemistry technique viz. citric acid sol–gel method (CAM). The preparation process was monitored by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis and Fourier transform–infrared experiments and the microstructures and average size of as-prepared products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy images. It was found that compared with traditional solid state reaction (SSR), Y2Ti2O7 nanopowders were synthesized at a relatively low temperature (750°C) for shortened reaction time. Detailed analysis showed that the as-prepared Y2Ti2O7 with good dispersibility and narrow size distribution were quasi-spherical; the average size was about 20–30 nm, also, the obtained products had higher BET surface area (50 m2/g). These properties are very helpful for a photocatalyst to achieve excellent activity and may result in better behaviour in hydrogen storage.