The preparation and characterization of tabular, pearlescent Fe-doped potassium lithium titanate

Potassium chloride was used as flux to prepare tabular crystals of both potassium lithium titanate and Fe-doped potassium lithium titanate employing an optimum mass ratio of flux: raw materials. The effects of the dopant and its concentration and the calcination temperature on the morphology of the Fe-doped potassium lithium titanate were investigated. The crystal phases and optical properties of Fe-doped potassium lithium titanate were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis and UV-vis spectrophotometry, respectively. The influence of dopant concentration on the colour, band gap narrowing and lattice constants of Fe-doped potassium lithium titanate are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.