Process for surface modifications of TiO

1. A process for making surface-modified ceramic materials comprising:

a. creating a layer of a titanium phosphate on a base material;

b. subsequently treating with a strong base;

c. washing the product of step b to form a first intermediate;

d. contacting the intermediate with a strong acid; and

e. subsequently washing the product of step d to form a second intermediate having a gelatinous layer of titanium oxide hydrate on the base material.

2. The process of claim 1 further comprising drying the second intermediate.

3. The process of claim 2 further comprising calcining the dried product.

4. The process of claim 2 further comprising sequentially treating the dried product with a dopant and then drying.

5. The process of claim 4 further comprising calcining the dried product.

6. The process of claim 4 where the dopant is a noble metal resistant to strong base and strong acid.

7. The process of claim 1 further comprising treating the second intermediate with a dopant.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the dopant is selected from the group consisting of a colloidal metal, a colloidal complex, an organic compound, an inorganic salt, and mixtures thereof.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the dopant is a colloidal metal and the final product has a metal oxide surface layer.

10. The process of claim 1 where the base material is titanium dioxide.

11. The process of claim 1 where the base material is selected from the group consisting of a ceramic metal oxide, a ceramic mixed oxide, a mixed metal oxide, and a mixture thereof.

12. The process of claim 11 , where the ceramic metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , ZrO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and mixtures thereof.

13. The process of claim 12 where the ceramic metal oxide consists of nano-sized particles with a size between 20 and 100 nm.

14. The process of claim 1 where the strong base is KOH.

15. The process of claim 1 where the strong acid is HCl.

16. The process of claim 1 further comprising:

a. saturating the surface of the second intermediate with a water-soluble organic or inorganic compound;

b. subsequently drying; and

c. calcining.

17. The process of claim 1 further comprising:

a. saturating the surface of the second intermediate with a colloid material;

b. subsequently drying; and

c. calcining.