One-step synthesis of various burr-like TiO2 nanostructures: Nanotubes, nanorods, nanotetrapods, nano-urchins

A one-step liquid phase precipitation method (LPD) was developed to synthesis burr-like TiO2 nanostructures at room temperature. Nanotubes, nanorods, nanotetrapods and nano-urchins with bur-surface were obtained. Growth mechanism was studied by comparing TiO2 obtained with different growth time. The growth of the TiO2 is accompanied with etching of the inner ZnO which resulted in a hollow nanostructure and assembly of TiO2 on both the outside and the inner side of the previously obtained hollow structures. The room-temperature operation, mass production, low cost and universality of this synthesis method could show potential in commercial production of TiO2 nanostructures.