Synthesis and Characterization of Magnesium Titanate (MgTiO₃) Ceramic Powder by the Co-Precipitation Method.

Abstract: Pure magnesium Titanate (MgTiO₃) ceramic powder was synthesized through a co-precipitation route using magnesium nitrate hexahydrate [Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O], titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) or Titanium Isopropoxide [Ti(OCH(CH₃)₂)₄, alternatively using titanium butaxide with the molecular formula C₁₂H₂₈O₄Ti], and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as starting materials. A 1M aqueous solution of Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and a 2 M NaOH solution were prepared, while the required quantity of the titanium precursor was calculated according to the stoichiometric composition of MgTiO₃. The magnesium and titanium precursor solutions were introduced dropwise into the NaOH solution under continuous stirring to produce a gelatinous white precipitate. The resulting precipitate was subsequently calcined at temperatures ranging from 600 to 900 °C, followed by sintering in the temperature interval of 850–1150 °C. The experimental findings demonstrated that the titanium isopropoxide facilitated synthesis of phase-pure MgTiO₃ with a particle size below 200 nm after calcination at 700 °C. The resulting powder exhibited optimum densification at a sintering temperature of 1000 °C and a dielectric constant of 16.5. These findings demonstrate the potential of precursor selection and temperature control in preparing fine-grained MgTiO₃ ceramics with promising dielectric characteristics.