Mechanism of the inhibiting effect of phosphate on the anatase → rutile transformation induced by thermal and mechanical treatment of TiO2

Abstract

The effect of phosphate on the anatase → rutile transformation has been studied. The conclusion has been reached that the polymorphic transformation takes place through the nucleation of rutile on the surface of TiO₂ when the oxide undergoes either thermal or mechanical treatment. The phosphate strongly inhibits the anatase → rutile conversion through a mechanism that implies its chemisorption on TiO₂ as a bidentate ligand which hinders the surface ionic mobility.