FORMATION OF ZIRCONIUM TITANATE POWDER FROM A SOL-GEL PREPARED REACTIVE PRECURSOR

A hydroxoperoxo compound of Zr and Ti (HXPZT) was prepared as a reactive powder by a sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction and SEM studies showed it to be formed from small (ca. 10-15-mu-m) amorphous particles. The effects of progressive thermal treatment were determined by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, temperature programmed desorption, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive spectrometry and SEM. The features observed have been attributed to the removal of physically and chemically bonded water and of some nitrogen-containing compound. Crystallization of zirconium titanate occurs at low temperature (650-degrees-C), giving rise to spherical (ca. 2-mu-m dia.) regular particles.