Preparation and Characterization of Sodium Hexatitanate Whiskers

Sodium hexatitanate (Na2O•6TiO2) whiskers with an average diameter and aspect ratio of 1-3 µm and 10-20 respectively were synthesized by calcinating mixtures of industrial grade sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), anatase TiO2 and potassium fluoride (KF). The growth of sodium hexatitanate whiskers was obtainable in a range of TiO2/Na2CO3 molar ratio from 4 to 6, heating temperature from 940 °C to 1000 °C and content of KF from 5 wt.% to 7 wt.% with different morphologies and aspect ratio of the products. The role of KF on the growth behavior of Na2O•6TiO2 whiskers was demonstrated by structural and morphological observation.