Based on the two dimensional nanometer-reactor properties of interlayer spacing of montmorillonite, tetrabutyl titanate was introduced into the interlayer spacing of organic montmorillonite by solvent process. TiO₂ was formed by using the interlayer spacing of montmorillonite as the reaction space. X-ray diffraction (XRD), in situ temperature Raman spectroscopy and TEM were used to analyze the reaction and hydrolyzation process of tetrabutyl titanate, the process of nucleation and structural phase transition of TiO₂ in the interlayer spacing of montmorillonite. The results showed that tetrabutyl titanate was successfully introduced into the interlayer space of montmorillonite. The amount of tetrabutyl titanate entering into the interlayer of montmorillonite increased with the adsorption time increasing. The tetrabutyl titanate hydrolyzed into amorphous hydrated titania in the interlayer of montmorillonite. Hydrated titania in the interlayer of montmorillonite began to form crystal nucleus which was anatase TiO₂ structural crystal nucleus at 150 ℃. When the baking temperature up to 500 ℃, the TiO₂ crystal nucleus crystallized into complete ordering anatase. The anatase was gradually transformed to rutile at the temperature of 700 ℃. The anatase phase was transformed to rutile phase completely with the baking temperature up to 1200 ℃.

Key words: montmorillonite, TiO₂, solvent action, hydrolyzation process, phase transition process