Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Al-doped Qandilite (Mg2TiO4)

We report here, the synthesis and characterization of Aluminum (Al) doped Mg2TiO4. Magnesium ortho titanates spinel {with composition Mg2TiO4; tetrahedral site A=Mg and octahedral site B=Mg, Ti (equal amounts)} for general formula AB(2)O(4) has been synthesized by solid-state reaction technique. The formations of titanates, the successive sintering process and the corresponding microstructure evolution, phase purity and crystal structure have been investigated using X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction confirms that the sample is single phase and the lattice parameter 842.00 pm for cubic (x=0) Mg2TiO4 and a=b=836.00 pm, c=842.00 pm for x=0.4 in tetragonal structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirms that the samples Mg2TiO4, (x=0) have a cubic and as we increase the dopant concentration (x=0.2 and x=0.4), we observe a change in the phase from cubic to tetragonal.