Enhanced reactivity of peroxo-modified surface of titanium dioxide nanoparticles used to synthesize ultrafine bismuth titanate powders at lower temperatures

Abstract Bismuth titanate with sillenite structure (Bi 12 TiO 20 ) was prepared at lower temperatures and shorter times using a modified oxidant peroxide method (OPM). Bi 12 TiO 20 was synthesized utilizing commercial Bi 2 O 3 and reactive titanium dioxide nanoparticles having peroxo-modified surfaces. Rather than depending on particle size, the reaction mechanism is related to the highly exothermic decomposition of peroxo groups, regardless the titanium source used, which locally releases a large amount of energy that can accelerate the reaction, similar to self-propagating high temperature routes (SHS).