Patent ID: 7763232

Claim:
A method for the formation of small-size titanium oxide particles, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a starting aqueous solution comprising at least one of titanic ions and complexes thereof, at a concentration of at least 0.1% w/w titanium; b) maintaining said solution at a temperature lower than 70° C. for a retention time in which hydrolysis takes place, the extent of said hydrolysis being sufficient to produce 0.1 mmol protons per mmol of titanium present in solution, wherein said time does not exceed 14 days, to form a system containing a retained solution; and c) adjusting the conditions in said system by at least one of the steps of: i) heating the retained solution to elevate the temperature thereof by at least 1° C.; ii) changing the pH of the retained solution by at least 0.1 units; and iii) diluting the retained solution by at least 20%; whereby there are formed particles, wherein the particles are formed at a rate of at least 50 Kg/hour, the majority of the particles formed are between about 2 nm and about 500 nm in size and optionally dehydrating said formed particles at a calcination temperature in a range of between about 90° C. and about 900° C. to form dehydrated particles.