Enhancing synthesis and sintering of zinc titanate using mechanical activation

Mechanical activation and sintering are used for obtaining zinc titanate, Zn2TiO4. Starting powder mixtures of ZnO and TiO2, in the molar ratio that is in accordance with the stoichiometry of zinc titanate Zn2TiO4, were mechanically activated using a planetary mill during different time intervals from 0 to 180 minutes. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to probe the powders microstructure. Progress of the solid-state reaction from the starting powders and evolution of the phases were followed using X-ray powder diffraction. Sintering kinetics was investigated during isothermal heating at 1100degreesC from 0 to 120 minutes. The main conclusion based on the analysis made is that Zn2TiO4 ceramics could be obtained by mechanical activation after a certain time without additional thermal treatment. Also, shorter activation times together with calcination at 900degreesC show that the required sintering temperature and sintering time Could be lower than those reported in literature.