Nanostructuring anatase through the addition of acetic acid by the sol–gel low temperature aqueous processing

Extremely small, thermostable and highly crystalline anatase nanopowder was produced by increasing additions of acetic acid. The chemistry of the acetate carboxilate group formed by the addition of acetic acid during the sol–gel aqueous acidic process, is investigated by IR spectroscopy. An excess of the acetic acid brings about a higher concentration of the bidentate complex, leading to a higher crystallinity of the anatase, limiting the particle size and retarding the anatase–rutile transformation temperature. Anatase nanostructural characterization is achieved through X Ray diffraction, TEM, HRTEM and electron diffraction techniques.