Intrinsic reduction kinetics of cobalt- and nickel-titanates by hydrogen

Abstract

The isothermal reduction of synthetic CoTiO3 and NiTiO3 in hydrogen (1 atm) was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis technique in the temperature range, 928–1287 K (CoTiO3) and 884–1387 K (NiTiO3). Shallow beds of fine titanate powders were reduced by hydrogen at a high flow rate. Quenched samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The rates of the reaction of the titanates with H2 were very fast during the reduction of Co2+, Ni2+, or Fe2+ ions into metals. The reduction of the remaining titanium oxide was very slow. The activation energy for the reduction of CoTiO3 by hydrogen to Co and TiO2 was evaluated to be 151 ± 1 kJ/mol, and the activation energy for the reduction of NiTiO3 by hydrogen to Ni and TiO2 was evaluated to be 153 ± 1 kJ/mol. The study was complemented by hydrogen reduction of synthetic TiO2 (rutile). The results were also compared with the hydrogen reduction of FeTiO3.