Mechanochemical-molten salt synthesis of Na2Ti6O13 nanobelts

A novel route for the preparation of Na2Ti6O13 nanobelts by mechanochemical treatment of the TiCl4–Na2SO4·10H2O–Na2CO3 mixture for 5 min followed by molten salt synthesis is described. The mixture of the amorphous TiO2 and NaCl–Na2SO4·xH2O–Na2CO3 salt matrix was generated during milling. The molten salt synthesis of the Na2Ti6O13 nanobelts with lengths up to 0.5–2 μm and with a width in the range of 20–250 nm was carried out in the temperature range of 700–800 °C for 1 h. The partial formation of titanate nanotubes was observed after annealing at 600 °C and washing procedure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to characterize the formation and structure of Na2Ti6O13 nanobelts.