Synthesis of Potassium Titanate Fibers using the Disk Process

Abstract

The new method is called a disk process; titanium dioxide and anhydrous potassium carbonate in a 3: 1 molar ratio were thoroughly mixed and pressed into disks (13 mmφ×2∼3 mm thick)under the pressure of 113 kg/cm². The disks were calcined in a muffle furnace at a temperature of about 900 to 1100°C. In the synthetic reaction using the disk process, a new potassium titanate Y-phase, presumed to be potassium trititanate, was found and two types of the potassium titanate “Fur-fibers” were obsereved.
The reaction between titanium dioxi de and potassium carbonate involves solid-liquid reactions, varying with the melting points of different potassium titanates, the vaporization and mobilization of potassium oxide. Potassium titanates except potassium hexatitanate could be formed through the melt or incongruent reaction, depending on the quantity of potassium oxide. The phase of potassium titanates recrystllized from the melt was influenced by the coexisting potassium titanate, solid.
The basic sequenc e of the reaction (between titanium dioxide and potassium carbonate through the disk process) was as follows; Y-phase→ potassium tetratitanate → potassium hexatitanate. As the Y-phase changed into potassium tetrattitanate, “Fur-fibers” were grown.