Synthesis and microstructure of TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles by a reverse micelle and sol-gel processing

Abstract

TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized using a reverse micelle technique combined with metal alkoxide hydrolysis and condensation. The size of the particles can be controlled by manipulating the relative rates of the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and titanium isopropoxide (TIP) within the micro-emulsion. The average size of synthesized TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles was about in the size range of 20-100 nm. The effects of synthesis parameters, such as the molar ratio of water to precursor and the molar ratio of water to surfactant, are discussed.