Structural characterization of BaZrO3 nanopowders prepared by stearic acid gel method

Abstract

Pure barium zirconate nanopowders were successfully prepared in wet-chemistry synthesis<br />method, using barium stearate and tetra-n-butyl zirconate as Ba, Zr sources and stearic acid as<br />complexing reagent. The gel was calcined at 800 and 900 °C in air. Results of thermal analysis<br />are given, including both DTG and TG. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray<br />diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy and (TEM) scanning electron microscopy<br />(SEM) were used to characterize the crystallization process, the particle size and morphology of<br />the calcined powders. The results indicated that barium zirconate nanopowders with particle size<br />between 20 and 25 nm could be obtained after calcinations of the dried gel at 900 °C for 2 h.