Selection of structural type and particle size in titanium (IV) oxide

Abstract
Titanium (iv) oxide (amorphous, brookite, anatase, and rutile) fine particles have been synthesized by pyrolysis of an aerosol. As-received materials are constituted by hollow balloons of around 1–2 μm formed by very small crystalline nuclei, whose crystal size can be modified by annealing. By heating at 900 °C for 48 h individual crystals of around 1 μm are obtained. Intermediate sizes can be controlled as a function of the thermal treatment.