Pechini sol gel method for the synthesis of titanates
Description
Cesium and sodium titanates with the respective stoichiometries of CsxTi2-x/4□x/4O4 (x ≈ 0.7) and Na2Ti6O13 was synthesized by making use of the Pechini sol-gel method. The subsequent direct intercalation of hydrazine hydrate in both cesium and sodium titanates proved unsuccessful while direct intercalation of ammonium into cesium titanate was achieved. The protonated form of cesium titanate was successfully intercalated with hydrazine hydrate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of the synthesised hydrazinium and ammonium titanate showed a high degree of peak correlation when compared with each other. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis showed the thermal release and potential decomposition of hydrazinium titanate to be at a lower temperature than reported by Britvin, et al. [1]. Raman analysis of the nitrogen derivative titanates showed a significant difference in obtained spectra. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed correlation with the observed Raman vibrations.