Interfacial precipitation in titania-doped diphasic mullite gels

Interfacial precipitation in sol-gel derived, titania-doped diphasic mullite gels was investigated using conventional and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Rutile, anatase, and brookite precipitated on the interface between {110} planes of mullite and glass pockets in the sintered body. The formation of brookite may be attributable to the Si- and Al-rich environment during precipitation. Each polymorph of titania has a unique morphology and orientation relationship with mullite. Brookite exhibits a truncated pill box shape, and anatase displays a vermicular morphology. Quenching experiments suggest that the precipitates grow and undergo phase transformations during cooling.