Size control of Ti ₄ O ₇ nanoparticles by carbothermal reduction using a multimode microwave furnace

Utilization of Ti ₄ O ₇ in applications such as catalyst support calls for control over the size of the Ti ₄ O ₇ nanoparticles. This can be achieved using a simple process such as carbothermal reduction. In this study, various sizes of Ti ₄ O ₇ nanoparticles (25, 60, and 125 nm) were synthesized by carbothermal reduction using a multimode microwave apparatus. It was possible to produce Ti ₄ O ₇ nanoparticles as small as 25 nm by precisely controlling the temperature, heating process, and holding time of the sample while taking advantage of the characteristics of microwave heating such as rapid and volumetric heating. The results show that microwave carbothermal reduction is advantageous in controlling the size of the Ti ₄ O ₇ nanoparticles.