Microstructure and performance of titanium oxide coatings sprayed by oxygen-acetylene flame

TiO(2) nano-powders were agglomerated by a spray drying process for application to thermal spraying. A conventional oxygen-acetylene flame torch was used to deposit porous partially nanostructured TiO(2) coatings. Steel substrates were used as a support for tested samples. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis and X-ray diffraction were performed to study the morphology and the crystalline phases of the titania coatings. Optical bandgap and kinetics of the acetone decomposition were also studied. The best results were obtained for the powder which is available as a commercial spray feedstock. This powder seems to be most resistant against the reducing atmosphere in the jet of combustive gases.