Synthesis and characterization of ultra fine titanium powders

Abstract

The present work deals with a novel chemical solution synthesis route, for the preparation of nano size titanium powders from titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is allowed to form a complex, titanium catecholate precursor, in the presence of ammonium sulphate and concentrated sulphuric acid. The complex is filtered, washed with cold isopropyl alcohol and dried. Hydrogenation of titanium catecholate is carried out for different durations at various temperatures. Titanium hydride is prepared by heating the titanium catecholate precursor at 800 degrees C in a furnace of 8 x 10(-6) torr vacuum and dehydrogenated in vacuum to get fine titanium powders. The characteristics evaluated by XRD and SEM indicated that the powders are pure titanium with crystallite size in the range 45-60 nm.