Low-temperature sol-gel synthesis of single-phase ZrTiO4 nanoparticles

Ceramic ZrTiO4 powders were prepared by a sol-gel method using zirconium oxychloride and titanium tetraisopropoxide. In situ high temperature X-ray diffraction results show that crystallization of the amorphous gel starts at 400 degrees C. Single-phase ZrTiO4 nanoparticles were obtained after heat treatment at 450 degrees C for one hour. An average particle size of 46 nm has been determined by nitrogen adsorption analysis. After pressing these sinteractive powders, pellets with controlled pore size distribution were obtained by sintering at temperatures as low as 400 degrees C. The analysis of pores by mercury porosimetry gives an average porosity of 45%. The electrical resistivity, determined by impedance spectroscopy measurements at 24 degrees C under different humidity environments, shows the ability of these pellets to adsorb water vapor in the porous surfaces. Pellets fabricated with the nanosized powders prepared by the sol-gel technique are proposed as good candidates to be used in humidity sensing devices.