Chemical modification and the photoluminescence stabilization of titanic acid nanotubes

Titanic acid nanotubes (H2Ti2O4(OH)2) were surface-modified with cetyl alcohol through dehydration reaction because of existence of Ti-OH. The modified nanotubes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results indicate that the modified nanotubes can be easily dispersed into organic solvent such as chloroform and toluene in contrast with the unmodified nanotubes, which makes it easier to be assembled by LB technique. Moreover, the Ti-O-CH2(CH2)14CH3 on the surface of the nanotubes can hinder the adsorption of water and consequently the photoluminescence property of the nanotubes can be stabilized. Even though kept in humid condition or in air for a long time, the modified nanotubes also maintain the special photoluminescence property in the visible region.