Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanocrystals are prepared by a hydrolysis process of tetrabutyl titanate. Nanocrystal samples with various sizes of 6.8-27.9 nm are obtained after annealing from 100 to 650 °C. The crystal structures and the average particle sizes are examined using x-ray diffraction. Raman scattering was employed to investigate the evolution of the anatase phase in the nanocrystals during annealing. Phonon confinement and non-stoichiometry effects are responsible for the blueshift and broadening of the lowest-frequency E g Raman mode. The influence of interfacial vibrations on the Raman linewidth is also discussed.

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Zirconium tungstate was successfully synthesized by rapid solidification with a CO2 laser. Scanning electron microscope observation shows that nano-threads/rods grew horizontally on the surface region and vertically in the interior. The nano-threads in the interior are composed of densely packed nano-crystallites. Raman spectroscopic study shows that the samples solidified in an orthorhombic structure when the laser scan speed was ≥2 mm s−1. This is explained by a compressive stress induced during the rapid solidification process due to a sudden drop of temperature from the molten pool to the ambient. The possibilities for tuning the strength of the compressive stress and controlling the production of different phases of ZrW2O8 are proposed. It is analysed and confirmed that the compressive stress can be effectively reduced by lowering laser scan speed. ZrW2O8 samples with cubic structure are produced with laser scan speed <2 mm s−1.

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