Mechanochemical synthesis of BaTiO3 from barium titanyl oxalate

The effect of mechanochemical processing in air and water on the physicochemical transformations of barium titanyl oxalate has been studied using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, temperature-programmed argon desorption, and particle size measurements. The results demonstrate that mechanochemical processing of barium titanyl oxalate in air leads to the formation of structurally imperfect barium titanate. During subsequent air calcination at 550°C, this material transforms into well-crystallized cubic BaTiO 3 , whereas thermal decomposition of barium titanyl oxalate only yields cubic BaTiO 3 starting at 800°C. Mechanochemical processing in water leads to partial amorphization of barium titanyl oxalate, and conversion of the product to BaTiO 3 requires heat treatment at 700°C. All of the BaTiO 3 samples obtained via mechanochemical processing have a larger specific surface in comparison with samples prepared by conventional calcination of barium titanyl oxalate or other known processes.