Electron-beam-induced formation mechanisms for Ti₂O₃–SiO₂composite nanofibers

Abstract

Anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles with high crystallinity were embedded in the SiO 2 matrix by electrospining and calcining. As-calcined TiO 2 -SiO 2 nanofibers were transformed into Ti 2 O 3 -SiO 2 nanofibers owing to in situ electron-beam irradiation in a transmission electron microscope. The microstructural properties and the mechanisms of electron-beam-induced formation of Ti 2 O 3 -SiO 2 composite nanofibers were described on the basis of the obtained high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, fast-Fourier-transformed patterns, and energy dispersive spectroscopy profiles.