University of Arkansas

Z Ryan Tian

Joshua Epstein

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for synthesizing macro-sized nanostructures. The method in one embodiment comprises the steps of mixing an amount of TiOpowders with a volume of an alkali or alkaline solution to form a mixture, and heating the mixture at a temperature higher than 160&#xb0; C. for a period of time effective to allow TiO-containing, macro-sized nanostructures to form, wherein the TiO-containing, macro-sized nanostructures form in an environment that has no presence of a substrate that comprises Ti. These TiO-containing, macro-sized nanostructures can be utilized to form a free standing membrane, and/or a three-dimensional (3D) structure.

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In one aspect, the present invention relates to a synthetic nanostructure. In one embodiment, the synthetic nanostructure has a top region substantially comprising titanate nanowires, a middle region substantially comprising titanate nanoparticles and titanate nanowires, and a bottom region substantially comprising titanium, wherein some of the titanate nanowires of the top region are extending into the middle region, wherein the middle region is between the top region and the bottom region, and wherein some of the titanate nanowires of the top region are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the titanium substrate. At least some of the titanate nanowires in the top region form 3D macroporous scaffolds with interconnected macropores.

Titanate nanowire, titanate nanowire scaffold, and processes of making same

The present invention relates to applications of TiO-containing, macro-sized nanostructures in the fields including photocatalysis, information writing-erasing-rewriting, microfiltration, controlled drug release, and tire making. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method of photocatalytically decomposing organic pollutants. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of mixing a solution containing organic pollutants and a plurality of TiO-containing, macro-sized nanostructures to form a mixture and exposing the mixture to UV irradiation to decompose the organic pollutants.

Growing community of inventors

Fayetteville, AR, United States of America

Z Ryan Tian