Fabrication of Hollow Tetrapod-Like TiN Nanostructures and Its Electrochemical Property

The facile synthesis of tetrapod-like TiN nanocrystals with a hollow and porous structure is described. The nanocrystals were prepared by nitridation of a ZnO/TiO2 core/shell structure consisting of a thin shell of tiny TiO2 nanoparticles deposited onto a tetrapod-like ZnO core by a vapor-hydrolysis process. The ZnO core was then removed by vaporization during the nitridation step. The resulting hollow and porous TiN particles were with a crystallite size of 24 similar to nm, and the shape of the tetrapod-like ZnO template preserved. The combination of the hollow and porous structure and novel morphology enhanced the electrochemical activity.