Synthesis and characterization of a nano-scaled barium cerate perovskite powder using starch as polymerization agent

The preparation of nano-sized BaCeO3 powder using starch as a polymerization agent is described herein. Phase evolution during the decomposition process of a (BaCe)-gel was monitored by XRD. A phase-pure nano-sized BaCeO3 powder was obtained after calcining of the (BaCe)-gel at 920 °C. The resulting powder has a specific surface area of 15.4 m2/g. TEM investigations reveal particles mainly in the size range of 30 to 65 nm. The shrinkage and sintering behavior of resulting powder compacts were studied in comparison to a coarse-grained mixed-oxide BaCeO3 powder (SBET = 2.1 m2/g). Dilatometric measurements show that the beginning of shrinkage of compacts from the nano-sized powder is downshifted by 300 °C compared to mixed-oxide powder. Compacts from the nano-sized powder reach a relative density of 91% after sintering at 1450 °C for 10 h.

► Novel and eco-friendly synthesis route for BaCeO3 using starch.
► Monitoring the phase evolution during the synthesis.
► Nanoscaled and phase-pure BaCeO3 powder with high sintering activity.
► Dense ceramic bodies even at 1450 °C without any sintering additive.