Ambient-temperature formation of metal titanates from ilmenite (FeTiO₃)

Alkaline earth metal titanates are an important material in many industrial areas, from dielectric capacitors to ceramics. The present methods of production rely upon purification of the oxides prior to formation. This paper outlines the formation of pure and mixed metal titanates directly from metal oxides and a natural starting material, in the form of the mineral ilmenite (FeTiO₃). The reaction is induced by mechanical activation in a laboratory-scale ball mill and is essentially complete within 50 h for all samples, forming a nanocrystalline titanate and an unidentified iron compound. Annealing studies show that the titanate is formed during milling and can be crystallized at 800°C. Additionally, the reaction process increasesthe solubility and separation of iron and titanium from ilmenite and this may have application in the formation of titanium compounds from solution.