A controllable approach for the synthesis of titanate derivatives of potassium tetratitanate fiber

Three types titanate derivatives, K₂Ti₈O₁₃ fiber, K₂Ti₈O₁₇ fiber and anatase TiO ₂ fiber, were synthesized by ion-exchange reaction from potassium tetratitanate fiber (K₂Ti₄O₉) based on the hydrate conditions predicted by a thermodynamic model. These products were formed by a heat treatment of the corresponding hydrate intermediates K _1.33H_0.67Ti₄O₉·H ₂O, KHTi₄O₉·0.5H₂O and H ₂Ti₄O₉·1.2H₂O which were quantitatively obtained by controlling the pH value and the equilibrium concentration of potassium ion. The mole ratio of Ti/K in solid phase (R) of the target products was taken as the controlling aim in the hydrate process. The temperature for heat treatment of hydrate intermediates was determined by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All products retained fibrous morphology similar to that of K₂Ti₄O ₉ used as the starting material.