Optimized Ilmenite Leachate by Wet Mechanical Activation for the Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles through Sulfate Route

The extraction of ilmenite minerals using the sulfate route is one of the commercial methods for producing titanium dioxide (TiO2) materials. The sulfate process requires a high concentration of sulfuric acid to achieve high extraction yield of titanium. However, this process also results in the generation of high amounts of sulfuric acid waste. Modifying ilmenite minerals is thought to be one of approaches in reducing the consumption of highly concentrated sulfuric acid. In the current study, we investigated the effect of the ilmenite-to-water mass ratio (ITWR) on the wetball milling process to enhance the dissolution of titanium from the ilmenite mineral. The results revealed that increasing the water amount from 10 to 70% wt has decreased the particle size from 167.60 to 0.55 mu m and increased the titanium yield from 479.36 to 1228.89 ppm. On the basis of investigation, it was shown there is a significant relationship between the ilmenite-to-water mass ratio and titanium dissolution, highlighting the importance of an optimal ratio for achieving maximum dissolving yield. The obtained TiO2 nanoparticles provide the average crystallite size of 4.16 nm, with rutile and anatase phase, and spherical morphology.