ACTIVE-ILMENITE SURFACE STRUCTURE INFLUENCE ON ACID-ASSISTED BALL MILLING

Abstract

Active-ilmenite powder derived from natural ilmenite sand was prepared by the ball milling process with acid-solution and Deionized (DI) water. Morphology and particle size of active-ilmenite product in acid/DI-assisted ball milling process were monitored by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Surface atomic component and chemical bonding were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Meanwhile, bulk chemical oxidation and fine structure of active-ilmenite were studied by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption ne-structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) to confirm the oxidation state and local active species structure at surface. Active-ilmenite by acid-assisted ball milling process is a distinctive method for the preparation of active-ilmenite product with high active surface. Moreover, the distortion of TiO 6 and FeO 6 octahedral cluster on the sample surface was detected in all milled samples with acid-assisted ball milling process. The presence of Fe 2+ , Fe 3+ ions and miniature sulfate was also detected on the sample surface by milled product with acid-assisted method.