Electroceramics from Source Materials via Molecular Intermediates: BaTiO ₃ from TiO ₂ via (Ti(catecholate) ₃ ) ^2‐

Abstract

Rutile or anatase may be depolymerized and complexed by sequential treatment with (i) H 2 SO 4 /(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , (ii) H 2 O, and (iii) catechol/NH 4 OH to produce the intermediate (NH 4 ) 2 (Ti(catecholate) 3 ) · 2H 2 O. Treatment with Ba(OH) 2 · 8H 2 O leads to an acid‐base reaction generating Ba(Ti(catecholate) 3 ) · 3H 2 O, in which the Ba:Ti ratio is held at 1:1 at the molecular level. Calcination produces BaTiO 3 powder.