Production of TiO2 coated α-Al2O3 platelets by flame spray pyrolysis and their characterization

In this study, the applicability of the flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) method in the production of α-Al2O3 based TiO2 coatings was investigated. Plate-like α-Al2O3 particles, with a particle size of 8–30 μm, were dispersed in a solution of titanium tetraisopropoxide-xylene, a low solids suspension was prepared, and then a TiO2 coating was obtained on α-Al2O3 platelets by feeding the precursor suspension into a pre-mixed methane/oxygen flame in a FSP reactor. Obtained coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods. While the presence of heterogeneous nucleated TiO2 coating on α-Al2O3 platelet surfaces was revealed by the characterization process performed, it was also observed that homogeneously nucleated TiO2 nanoparticles were obtained during the process.