Structural characterization of BaZrO3 nanopowders prepared by stearic acid gel method

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