Two variants of a nanoparticulate titania were investigated for their rheological behavior. These powders were synthesized via a sulfuric acid process, where modification of particular parameters resulted in powders varying in residual sulfate level. It was assumed that residual sulfate would affect the agglomerate structure of suspensions of these powders. These powders were washed with distilled deionized water to remove as much residual soluble sulfate as possible and the supernatant tested for sulfate level and pH. Microstructural and rheological behavior of the powders were examined as a function of number of washes. The rheological yield point was determined to increase with number of washes and in turn increase with decreased residual sulfate level.

Keywords: agglomeration/agglomerates; rheology/rheometry; titanium dioxide