DOE analyses on aqueous suspensions of TiO2 nanoparticles

Nanosized titanium oxide (TiO2) powders have been prepared by conventional and microwave hydrothermal methods by forced hydrolysis of TiOCl2. As-prepared powders have been completely characterised by qualitative and quantitative XRD and TEM. The obtained titania powders have been redispersed (45 and 60 wt.%) in an aqueous hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) solution (0.5–1 wt.%). Rheological characterisation has been performed in order to evaluate the influence of HPC on particles agglomerations. The effect of mixing time, HPC and TiO2 concentration and their mutual interactions on shear stress have been evaluated with a design of experiment (DOE) approach.