Particle size control of plate-like lepidocrocite-related potassium lithium titanate through optimization of synthesis parameters

Platy particles are required to enhance the covering ability of inorganic UV-shielding materials. A plate-like lepidocrocite-type potassium lithium titanate, K0.8Li0.266Ti1.734O4 represents a proper candidate as a support for inorganic UV-shielding materials. Optimization of preparation conditions of lepidocrocite-type potassium lithium titanate, K0.8Li0.266Ti1.734O4, is required to obtain medium-size plate-like titanate of 5–50 μm in diameter that provide good coverage of inorganic UV-shielding materials for the human skin. A plate-like lepidocrocite-type potassium lithium titanate, K0.8Li0.266Ti1.734O4, was synthesized by calcing K2CO3, Li2CO3 and TiO2 mixtures in the presence of KMoO4 flux. The influences of firing temperature, time, weight ratio of flux to raw materials and Li content were investigated. The plate-like potassium lithium titanate, K0.8Li0.266Ti1.734O4, with ca. 20 μm in diameter, was obtained with flux/raw materials weight ratio of 50:50 at 1000 °C for 2 h.