Determining the optimal conditions for the synthesis nano CaTiO3 square prepared from natural dolomite rocks

Due to the importance of ceramic materials, especially of the perovskite type, this study included the synthesis of calcium titanate using dolomite as a natural calcium source from the Iraqi environment. Firstly, the work included preparing of calcium sulfate dihydrate from dolomite using dilute sulfuric acid, and then studying the optimal conditions for the formation of calcium titanate (CaTiO3) through the reaction of titanium dioxide with calcium sulfate dihydrate. The optimum conditions included: the ratio of titanium to calcium which was 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2, respectively, as well as, the calcination temperature (1000, 1200 and 1300 °C) and finally the calcination time (1 and 2 h). The formation of calcium titanate was tracked by X-ray diffraction, and the results demonstrated that the optimum conditions are 1:1 at a calcination temperature of 1300 °C for 2 h. Moreover, the work included converting calcium titanate into calcium titanate nanoparticles using an environmentally friendly method which was achieved by using ultrasound on a liquid composed of calcium titanate in deionized water. The formation of calcium titanate nanoparticles was proved by TEM, which showed the formation of regular and irregular square-like nanoparticles with an average particle size of 55 nm. From an industrial point of view, this method is considered to be of low cost for the production of high cost nano-calcium titanate.