Synthesis and Characterization of MgTiO3 Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

This study is on one-pot synthesis of magnesium titanate (MgTiO3) nanoparticles via sol-gel route. The morphology, particles size, crystal structure, phase identification and functional groups of the produced nanomaterials were studied using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. HRSEM analysis revealed characteristic homogeneous spherical shape for TiO₂ nanoparticles, while MgO and MgTiO₃ exhibited aggregated morphologies with irregular shapes with particle size 13.42 nm for TiO2, 14.65 nm for MgO and 10.47 nm for MgTiO3. XRD analysis established anatase phase of TiO₂, periclase phase for MgO, and mixture of the two phases for MgTiO₃ nanoparticles. Crystallite sizes calculated using Debye-Scherrer equation were 19.10 nm, 39.30 nm, and 17.51 nm for TiO₂, MgO and MgTiO₃ respectively. FTIR spectral profiles of TiO₂, MgO and MgTiO₃ show peaks for surface hydroxyl groups, molecular water, and metal-oxygen stretching. TiO₂ exhibits bands at 3300 cm⁻¹ (O–H) and 670 cm⁻¹ (Ti–O–Ti), MgO exhibited bands at 3400 cm⁻¹ (O–H) and 603 cm⁻¹ (Mg–O), while MgTiO3 exhibited band at 3400 cm-1 (O-H) and at 614 cm-1 and 456 cm-1 (Ti–O–Mg–O). The resultant MgTiO₃ nanocomposite exhibited the desired characteristics, proving the sol-gel process to be a simple method for material preparation with promising applications in different fields