Preparation of single phase Zn2TiO4 spinel from a new ZnTi layered double hydroxide precursor

A single-source ZnTi-layered double hydroxide precursor was used to prepare single phase Zn2TiO4. This approach involves two steps: the calcination of a ZnTi-layered double hydroxide precursor and selective leaching zinc oxide from the resultant calcined products. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), transmission electron microscope (TEM), surface area measurement and UVvis diffuse reflection spectroscopy. The results indicated that a single phase Zn2TiO4 could be successfully obtained from a ZnTi-layered double hydroxide precursor at a relatively low temperature in short calcination time. The TEM and SEM show that the diameter of Zn2TiO4 particles prepared at 900 degrees C is in the range of 20-100 nm and smaller than that prepared by the solid-state method. UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy demonstrates that the material has an energy bandgap around 3.7 eV.