On the Transformation Mechanism of K2Ti4O9 to TiO2(B) and Formation of Microvoids

TiO2(B), a potential catalyst support, has been synthesized from a support precursor, K2Ti4O9. High resolution electron microscopy revealed that the 32% volume loss in this transformation is achieved by formation of facetted microvoids, around 10 nm in size, maintaining the morphology and size of the original crystals. A structural mechanism, including a hypothetical structure for a K2Ti 2O5 intermediate, is suggested