Solid-state synthesis of nanocrystalline BaZrO3 using mechanical activation

Abstract

Nanocrystalline BaZrO₃ has been prepared by solid-state reaction, using preliminary mechanical activation of a stoichiometric mixture of BaCO₃ and ZrO₂. The mechanical activation was performed in an AGO-2 centrifugal planetary mill for 10 min at a centrifugal factor of 40g. The effect of mechanical activation of the reactant mixture on the processes that take place during subsequent heating of the mixture has been studied using a combination of thermoanalytical techniques. The synthesized barium zirconate, with an average crystallite size from 50 to 100 nm, has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy.