Electron-beam-induced formation mechanisms for Ti2O3-SiO2 composite nanofibers

Abstract

Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with high crystallinity were embedded in the SiO2 matrix by electrospining and calcining. As-calcined TiO2?SiO2 nanofibers were transformed into Ti2O3?SiO2 nanofibers owing to in situ electron-beam irradiation in a transmission electron microscope. The microstructural properties and the mechanisms of electron-beam-induced formation of Ti2O3?SiO2 composite nanofibers were described on the basis of the obtained high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images, fast-Fourier-transformed patterns, and energy dispersive spectroscopy profiles.