I am trying to dissolve titanium dioxide (TiO2) in order to measure its concentration in animal feces. The published method I have been trying to use is not working for me. (Short, F. J., Gorton, P., Wiseman, J., & Boorman, K. N. (1996). Determination of titanium dioxide added as an inert marker in chicken digestibility studies. Animal feed science and technology, 59(4), 215-221.)
I ash the sample (fecal material + TiO2) at 600 C overnight, and then boil the ash in concentrated sulfuric acid for up to 4 hours, but there are still TiO2 particles that refuse to dissolve. I have also tried not ashing the sample before attempting to dissolve in acid, with similar results.
Any tips or suggestions are appreciated!
Try these solvents too: hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid
TiO2 is insoluble common polar , non-polar solvents, dilute alkali, dilute acid ,but it may be slowly soluble in hot concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. Some literatures reveal solubility of TiO2 in citric acid and ascorbic acid solusions .Please have a look at the below links and attached files.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16202813
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S0036029514090109
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/making-tio2-dissolve-in-acid-organic.742495
The solubility of titanium dioxide is insoluble in dilute alkali, dilute acid, but soluble in hot concentrated sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. Final product like a salt like sulfate, chloride, nitrate etc. Titanium dioxide can melt in the alkali (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) or alkali metal carbonate (sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate).
Hi Ashley, I´m using the same Short et al. 1996's protocol. I´m having the same problem, Ti02 sometimes does not want to dissolve in h2so4. If you found out why that happens or any tip you use I'd be so pleased. Thanks!
Matias Ledesma I ended up using ammonium sulfate in the sulfuric acid and it seemed to help with dissolution. Here is the published method if you are still interested: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/100/3/skac074/6545838
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Coating