Carbon-coated titania nanostructured particles: Continuous, one-step flame-synthesis

Concurrent synthesis of titania-carbon nanoparticles (up to 52 wt.% in C) was studied in a diffusion flame aerosol reactor by combustion of titanium tetraisopropoxide and acetylene. These graphitically layered carbon-coated titania particles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), with elemental mapping of C and Ti, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption [Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)]. The specific surface area of the powder was controlled by the acetylene flow rate from 29 to 62 m(2)/g as the rutile content decreased from 68 to 17 wt.%. Light blue titania suboxides formed at low acetylene flow rates. The average XRD crystal size of TiO2 decreased steadily with increasing carbon content of the composite powders, while the average BET primary particle size calculated from nitrogen adsorption decreased first and then approached a constant value. The latter is attributed to the formation of individual carbon particles next to carbon-coated titania particles as observed by HRTEM and electron spectroscopic imaging.