Preparation and Characterization of Alkoxy‐Derived SrZrO ₃ and SrTiO ₃

Abstract

High‐purity strontium, zirconium, and titanium alkoxides were synthesized and characterized as precursors for complex oxides. Simultaneous hydrolytic decomposition either of strontium and zirconium alkoxides or of strontium and titanium alkoxides was used to obtain nearly stoichiometric, ideally mixed SrZrO 3 or SrTiO 3 powders of high surface activity. As‐prepared helium‐dried SrTiO 3 is crystalline before calcination. An ultraviolet radiation technique demonstrates the nucleation and growth of SrZrO 3 crystallites in the calcination temperature range to 350°C. The experimental results are supported by ir, TGA, and X‐ray diffraction data. The high degree of control over purity, mixing uniformity, and crystallite size demonstrates the value of the alkoxide precursor approach for the solution of reproducibility problems encountered in the synthesis of electrical‐quality ceramics.