Synthesis of anatase TiO with exposed (100) facets and enhanced electrorheological activity.

Herein, a simple hydrothermal method is employed to synthesize anatase TiO with dominant (100) facets, as a precursor, using titanate nanofibers derived from alkali treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are carried out to confirm the surface morphology and phase structure of the TiO product. The formation mechanism of TiO enclosed by (100) and (101) facets is deduced to be the selective adsorption of OH on the (100) facets of anatase TiO. Electroheological (ER) experiments indicate that the tetragonal-facet-rod anatase TiO with exposed (100) facets exhibits an excellent ER performance with a high ER efficiency of up to 52.5, which results from the anisotropy of its special morphology. In addition, the effect of shape on its dielectric property is investigated via broadband dielectric spectroscopy.