SINTERING BEHAVIOUR OF MAGNESIUM OXIDE OBTAINED FROM SEAWATER DOPED WITH NANO-TiO2

In order to improve the properties of sintered MgO (80 % precipitation) obtained from seawater, an investigation was carried out with (0, 1, 2) w/% of nano-TiO2 and micro-TiO2 additions during sintering at a temperature of 1500 °C (1 h and 2 h). The effects of the TiO2 addition on its microstructural properties, density, porosity and chemical composition after sintering were observed. The SEM/EDS analysis confirmed the formation of a homogeneous microstructure composed mainly of periclase grains and well-distributed secondary phases. CaTiO3 and MgTiO4 are predominantly located at the inter- and intra-periclase grain boundary surfaces during cooling. The microstructure of the MgO samples with the addition of nano-TiO2 become more compact, having a positive impact on the porosity and density of the samples. The addition of 1 w/% of nTiO2 represents the optimal amount for the improvement of the properties of the MgO samples (80 % precipitation) obtained from seawater.