Date of Last Revision

2023-05-02 23:40:48

Major

Chemical Engineering - Cooperative Education

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2017

Abstract

The main goal of this project was to determine if increasing the time and temperature of a hydrothermally reacted titanium nanotube would increase the size of the nanotubes. Five experiments were conducted while varying the time and temperature of the reaction: 120°C for 24 hours, 120°C for 48 hours, 150°C for 24 hours, 180°C for 24 hours, and 180°C for 48 hours. Following the synthesis of all of these samples x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed. The XRD analysis revealed anatase titanium nanoparticles formed in the 120°C and 150°C samples, this could be a result of insufficient ion exchange of Na+. To test for leftover Na+ ions in the 180°C sample, EDS was performed and showed the sample was composed primarily of titanium and oxygen. The structure of the nanotubes was determined through SEM. Nanotubes were not visible for 120oC sample, however, nanotubes were observed for the 150°C and 180°C samples. Using Image J, the average tube diameter was determined for the 150°C and 180°C samples. Calculating the relative rates of tube formation, the calculations showed the nanotubes formed roughly four times faster at 180oC vs 150°C.

Research Sponsor

Edward Evans

First Reader

Jiahua Zhu

Second Reader

Bi-min Zhang Newby

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