Porous zirconium titanate ceramics synthesized by sol-gel process

摘要

Zirconium titanate, ZrTiO_4, was synthesized by sol-gel method from zirconium butoxide and titanium isopropoxide. Amorphous ZrTiO_4 powder was ground, calcined at 500 deg C, and milled to homogenize size distribution of the powder. Milled powder was pressed into tablets and sintered at 900-1400 deg C for 8h. Differential scanning calorimetry and dilatometric studies indicated crystallization of ZrTiO_4 at 600-700 deg C. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed presence of crystallized ZrTiO_4 already at 900 deg C, and crystallite size was determined by Scherrer equation. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ZrTiO_4 grains begin to sinter at higher temperatures, starting from 1200 deg C, while preserving high porosity up to 1300 deg C as confirmed by dilatometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry.