Synthesis of Rutile TiO₂ from Panzhihua Sulfate Titanium Slag by Microwave Heating

This study aimed to assess the utilization of microwave heating for synthesis of rutile TiO₂ by employing sulfate titanium slag produced by Panzhihua Iron and Steel Research Institute. To this end, the properties of sulfate titanium slag before and after microwave treatment, i.e., its crystal structure, surface microstructure, and surface chemical functional groups, were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, respectively. Results of XRD analysis showed that the anosovite phase of the sulfate titanium slag transformed to the rutile TiO₂ phase under microwave heating at 1100°C for duration of 120 min. Correspondingly, the SEM images revealed that the surface of the sulfate titanium slag grew as a granular substance after microwave roasting. The granular substance was observed to be rutile TiO₂ with a rod-shaped structure. FT-IR spectra demonstrated the occurrence of a blue shift at 472.15 cm⁻¹, indicating phase transformation from anosovite to rutile TiO₂ because of the roasting process. From the experimental results, it is concluded that microwave heating can be an effective and efficient approach for the synthesis of synthetic rutile TiO₂ from sulfate titanium slag.