Theoretical and experimental study of anatase nanotube formation via sodium titanate intermediates

The initial stages of the formation of anatase nanotubes starting from TiO₂ microparticles are studied theoretically at density-functional theory (DFT) level. Several formation mechanisms proposed in the literature are discussed. In the present study a mechanism is adapted that starts with NaOH adsorption on the anatase (101) surface. A phase transition from NaOH:anatase to sodium titanate is thermodynamically favorable but does not lead to the formation of sodium titanate nanotubes. Instead it is shown that anatase nanotubes with NaOH adsorbed on the inner surface are stabilized with respect to the unmodified 2D-periodic anatase surface structure. The structure and stability of selected intermediates of the nanotube formation process are investigated. In the experimental part we investigated the initial step of the nanotube formation and characterized the crystal structure of the as prepared titanate nanotubes.