Preparation of TiO2 powder by microwave-assisted molten-salt synthesis

Abstract

Titanium dioxide powder based on nanorods with the length of 2 to 10 mu m was prepared by a simple and rapid microwave-assisted molten-salt synthesis in a ceramic kiln designed for glass fusing in common domestic microwave oven which enables to reach high temperatures in short time. Titanium dioxide powder (P25, Degussa) containing anatase and rutile phase in a ratio about 3:1 was treated in molten-salt reaction medium in order to obtain elongated nano-or submicro-particles advantageous for numerous applications. Resulting product which was prepared in a one step in 30 minutes was composed from highly crystalline pure phase rutile. As-prepared nano-needles were further coated by polypyrrole in order to increase stability in suspensions, conductivity as well as electrorheological effect. Conductivity measurement showed appreciable conductivity of prepared core-shell structure what enables to use such powders in electronics and as a component of electrorheological fluids.