Synthesis of anatase and rutile TiO2 nanostructures from natural ilmenite

Abstract

Nanostructure anatase and rutile type TiO2 were synthesized from dissolution roasted ilmenite from natural ilmenite sand as the starting materials. Anatase TiO2 and rutile TiO2 (high crystallinity) with the diameters of 20–100 nm were obtained by calcined soluble ilmenite sand produced by leaching process. Calcinations of the xerogel TiO2 from liquor products were conducted for 4 hours at temperature of 450 °C. The samples were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), STA (simultant thermal analysis), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), and BET surface area. Titania Anatase-Rutile form as a mixture were produced by titania slag with the hydrolysis product. While, in another route, complete titania anatase phase was produced through hydrolysis and condensation steps of leach liquors. This synthesis methods provide a simple route to fabricate nanostructure TiO2 from low cost material.