XRD and EDXRF Analysis of Anatase Nano-TiO2 Synthesized from Mineral Precursors

Abstract

This work details the characterization of anatase nanoTiO2particles synthesized from Malaysian mineral precursors using the XRD and EDXRF. The properties that were analyzed were its crystallite sizes, relative crystallinity, phases, and chemical composition. It was determined that the crystallite size was quite small (15.6 nm), although the crystallinity of the sample is relatively low. The anatase phase seems to be dominant (100%), although in some cases when the processing parameters were changed or heat treatment were conducted, the existence of rutile is detected. The chemical composition showed that TiO2is the majority compound in the sample (~96%), although some metallic and non-metallic impurities are present (Zr, Nb, and S). It is concluded that Malaysian mineral precursors are capable of producing relatively high quality nanoTiO2.