How to lower melting point of solids (TiO2)?

[paul143]

Hi,

I'm currently doing experiments on a 99.9% TiO₂ source powder.
I was wondering if there is anyway to lower the melting point of this solid?
If possible, without compromising its purity.

I only have access to an electrical furnace that is capable of reaching a maximum
of 1200 degC only. Seeing that this material has a melting point of around 1800 degC,
I am kinda stuck right now.

By the way, I also have access to a relatively primitive vacuum technology. I tried
to seal my sample in a quartz tube then lowered the pressure inside up to around
10^-6 torr. But I am not sure if this really has a significant effect, for I
have learned before that a change in pressure does greatly affect the boiling point
but I am not sure to the extent of its effect on melting point of solids.

Hope for any replies or suggestions.

Thanks very much for any information.

 

[kanato]

I'm not sure if there is much that you can do. Pressure can change the melting point, but the difference between atmospheric pressure and 10^-6 torr is quite negligible for a solid. If you could apply a pressure of 10-20 GPa that would be a different story, but it probably would not change the melting temperature in the direction you want!

 

[f95toli]

The melting point is an intrinsic property of a solid, it can't be change without somehow altering the material itself. Lowering the pressure won't have any practical effect on a solid (nor would increasing it unless we are talking about REALLY high pressures).

 

[ronaldlover]

i agree.by changing the melting point then the composition as well, will change.