Preparation and characterization of nanotube Li-Ti-O by molten salt method

Abstract

Nanotube Li-Ti-O compound with high surface (198.6 m 2 · g −1 ) was prepared by a method involving the treatment of nanotube Na 2 Ti 2 O 5 · H 2 O in molten LiNO 3 and characterization by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectra (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG/DTG). Results show that the nanotube Li-Ti-O compound prepared by this method involves two crystal phases: spinel Li 2 Ti 2 O 4 and anatase Li x TiO 2 (x<0.1). Li + exhibits different Li1s binding energy in the two crystal phases. In ambient air, the Li-Ti-O compound adsorbs water easily, and the chemically adsorbed water is difficult to remove below 400°C.