Synthesis of High-Purity Fe<sub>2</sub>TiO<sub>5</sub> Powders Utilizing a Local Ironstone

Abstract

The synthesis of Fe2TiO5 powders has been successfully performed by making use of Fe2O3 and TiO2 powders. The Fe2O3 powder was obtained from local ironstone in Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan, while the TiO2 powder was a commercial product. The Fe2O3 powder was obtained from the local ironstone through coprecipitation method on pH 5, followed by calcination at 800 °C for 1 hour. The synthesis of Fe2TiO5 powder was done by mixing the raw powders using Planetary Ball Mill method for 5 hours. Thermogravimetric dan Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA) was performed to estimate the calcination temperature. The milled mixtures were then calcined at temperatures of 700 – 1100 °C. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) data showed that Fe2TiO5 formation started at 800 °C with a weight fraction of 3.60 wt%. The XRD data also showed that at 1100 °C the Fe2TiO5 formation has completed. The crystallite size of Fe2TiO5 powders was 50 and 66 nm after calcination at 900 and 1100 °C, respectively.