OBSERVATION OF A HIGH-PRESSURE POLYMORPH OF TITANIA BY VIBRATIONAL BALL-MILLING

The observation of a high pressure polymorph of titania, originating from an anatase phase, using high energy impact vibrational ball milling (HEIVBM) is reported here for the first time. The observed polymorph conforms to the reported high pressure modified phase of titania [orthorhombic, alpha-PbO2 (Pbcn) structure] developed by static high pressure and shock wave techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques are used to characterize the polymorph.