A New Ti9O10 Nanophase Prepared by Heat-Treating Nonstoichiometric Milled TiO y Nanopowder

A Ti9O10 nanophase (sp. gr. Immm) has been synthesized via high-energy milling followed by prolonged high-temperature vacuum heat treatment of nonstoichiometric TiO (y) titanium monoxide. The atomic structure and microstructure of Ti9O10 have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. According to quantum-chemical calculation results, macrocrystalline Ti9O10 is less energetically favorable than a disordered cubic phase of the same composition, TiO10/9, so the formation of the former phase is due to size effects.