Chemical synthesis of pure and Gd-doped CaZrO3 powders

Aqueous solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H(2)O) and zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl2.8H(2)O), in appropriate volumetric amounts, were used as the starting chemicals in the synthesis of phase-pure CaZrO3 powders. Rare earth element dopings (up to 25 at%) were performed by using the aqueous chloride solutions of gadolinium (Gd). Formation of CaZrO3 powders were achieved by two different chemical synthesis techniques: (i) self-propagating combustion synthesis, and (ii) precipitation in the presence of EDTA by the technique of acid-base titration. Sample characterization was performed by powder XRD (Xray diffraction) and SEM (scanning electron microscope). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.