Flower-like surface modification of titania materials by lithium hydroxide solution

Surface modification of titania materials to give flower-like structures has been achieved simply by the treatment in lithium hydroxide aqueous solution under mild conditions. The flower-like structured materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman scattering. The analyses indicate that the flower-like materials are composed of layered hydrous lithium titanate. It is suggested that the unique intercalation behavior of lithium ions into titania allows dissolution and re-precipitation of titania to form the flower-like structure. The obtained flower-like structure can be retained up to 700°C, while the crystal phase transforms into Li ₄Ti ₅O ₁₂.