Chemical synthesis of barium zirconate titanate powder by an autocombustion technique

A self-propagated combustion technique for the synthesis of zirconia-doped barium titanate (BZT) is reported. The technique involves autocombustion of a citrate-nitrate gel at relatively low temperature (150-200 degrees C). The product is obtained after calcination of the resulting ash at ca. 800 degrees C. The method is very simple, convenient, less explosive than conventional methods and is expected to be economic for large-scale production of fine (1.36 mu m), homogeneous powders without any compositional fluctuation. The typical surface area of the calcined powder particles is found to be ca. 9.0 m(2) g(-1), corresponding to an average particle size of 0.1 mu m. The powder could be sintered up to 92-93% density at 1300 degrees C, which is significantly lower than that used for the powders prepared by conventional routes.