Thermogravimetric and UV–vis spectroscopic studies of chromium redox reactions in rutile pigments

In this study undoped and Cr, Sb or Mo doped TiO2 were synthesized by polymeric precursor method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV–VIS spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry (TG). The TG curves showed a continuous mass loss assigned to the hydroxyl elimination and Cr6+ reduction. Doped TiO2 samples showed a higher mass loss assigned to water and gas elimination at lower temperatures. In these doped materials a decrease in the anatase–rutile phase transition temperature was observed. After calcination at 1,000 °C, rutile was obtained as a single phase material without the presence of Cr6+.