Journal article
On the alkaline oxidation of titanium diboride into 1D lepidocrocite titanate nanofilaments
Cell reports physical science, v 6(11), 102921
19 Nov 2025
Abstract
The conversion of titanium diboride to quantum-confined, one-dimensional lepidocrocite titanate (1DL) nanofilaments, using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) at near-ambient conditions is studied to elucidate the reaction kinetics and mechanisms. The reaction forms water-soluble borate species, hydrogen, methane, and TMAOH decomposition products, in addition to the solid 1DL product. The addition of carbon dioxide as an oxidizing agent, in the form of carbonic acid, improves the reaction kinetics. Reducing the TMAOH concentration directly forms colloidal suspensions of shorter 1DLs that offer reduced length and quintuple the rate of photocatalytic decolorization of rhodamine 6G. The X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and band-gap energies (≈3.5 eV) are unequivocally those of 1DLs. This discovery points to a better, safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly synthesis of 1DLs.
[Display omitted]
•1DLs can be made with 5× less TMAOH than previously synthesized•Adding CO2 during synthesis can improve reaction kinetics of 1DL by up to 40%•1DLs made with less TMAOH are 5× more active in decolorizing toxic waste dye
In this study, Hassig et al. investigate a titanate-based nanomaterial to understand its reaction kinetics and mechanism, with a focus on making the process less hazardous. They also discuss the structural, electronic, morphological, and photocatalytic properties of the material, showing an overall safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly option.
Metrics
5 Record Views
Details
- Title
- On the alkaline oxidation of titanium diboride into 1D lepidocrocite titanate nanofilaments
- Creators
- Mary Qin Hassig - Deparment of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAAdam D. Walter - Deparment of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USALucas M. Ferrer - Drexel University, Materials Science and EngineeringMohamed A. Ibrahim - Drexel University, Materials Science and EngineeringAbijah Gordon - Deparment of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAVanessa R. Morris - Deparment of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAAlexandra C. Iacoban - Mihail Kogălniceanu UniversityFlorentina Neatu - National Institute of Materials PhysicsAhmed M.H. Ibrahim - Deparment of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USAGregory R. Schwenk - Drexel University, Materials Science and EngineeringMihaela Florea - National Institute of Materials PhysicsMichel W. Barsoum - Drexel University, Materials Science and Engineering
- Publication Details
- Cell reports physical science, v 6(11), 102921
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Number of pages
- 14
- Grant note
- Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Grant: P200A180032 Ceramics Division of NSF: DMR-2211319 Romanian Ministry of Education and Research: PC3-PN23080303 CCCDI-UED-FISCDI: PN-IV-P7.7-7.1-PED-2024-2346
The authors would like to acknowledge the Materials Characterization Core at Drexel University, where most of the characterizations, XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM analyses were performed. We also would like to thank the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University for the use of the FTIR spectrometer. This work was partially funded by the Department of Education Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Grant, fund P200A180032, Ceramics Division of NSF (DMR-2211319) . M.F., A.C.I., and F.N. acknowledge the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research through the Core Program 2023-2026 (contract PC3-PN23080303) and CCCDI-UED-FISCDI for project number PN-IV-P7.7-7.1-PED-2024-2346.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001630477800030
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105022096549
- Other Identifier
- 991022129640804721