ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Cost-effective transformation of rutile to anatase and synthesis of Zn₂Ti₃O₈

Ahmed Draoui, Zoulikha Hebboul, Saad Boudabia, Ibn Khaldoun Lefkaier, Mohammed Elhabib Naidjate, Abdeldjabbar Belbel, Hanane Aroudji, Aya Mokhtari, and Souraya Goumri-Said

Laboratoire de Physique des Matériaux (LPM), Université Amar Telidji de Laghouat, Laghouat, Algeria

E-mail: a.draoui@lagh-univ.dz

Received: 14 December 2024  Accepted: 18 January 2025

Abstract:

This study presents two groundbreaking achievements in materials science with significant implications for advanced technologies. First, we report the successful mechanosynthesis of Zn₂Ti₃O₈ through a solvent-free, solid-state reaction between rutile-type TiO₂ and ZnO, yielding the compound after 8 hours of milling. Second, we demonstrate a novel reverse phase conversion of TiO₂ from rutile to anatase under extreme conditions, involving a highly alkaline (KOH) environment at 160 °C, followed by hydrothermal treatment and calcination at 850 °C. This unprecedented transformation enhances the anatase phase’s morphological, optical, and surface properties, offering substantial advantages for various applications. Comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis, and FT-IR spectroscopy revealed crucial insights into the materials' structural and optical properties. Notably, bandgap energies estimated from Tauc plots showed a systematic decrease with increasing reaction time, ranging from 3.54 to 3.49 eV for 2 to 10 hours, respectively. Our findings contribute significantly to the field by introducing an environmentally friendly Zn₂Ti₃O₈ synthesis route, challenging conventional phase stability understanding, and providing a method for precise bandgap control. This research not only advances fundamental knowledge but also opens new avenues for developing high-performance materials in energy and environmental applications, potentially revolutionizing next-generation technologies.

Keywords: Hydrothermal; Rutile to anatase; Mechanosynthesis; XRD; FT-IR; UV–Vis

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-03915-x

Chemical Papers 79 (4) 2177–2189 (2025)