Nanocrystalline SrHfO3 synthesized through a single step auto-igniting combustion technique and its characterization

Nanocrystalline strontium hafnate (SrHfO3) was synthesized through auto-ignited combustion technique. The X-ray diffraction studies of SrHfO3 nanoparticles have shown that the as-prepared powder was single phase, crystalline, and has an orthorhombic (Pmna) perovskite structure (ABO3). The phase purity of the powder was further examined using; thermo gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The transmission electron microscopy study showed that the particle size of the as-prepared powder is in the range 20–60 nm with a mean size of 40 nm. The nanopowder could be sintered to 98% of the theoretical density at 1620 °C for 3 h. The microstructure of the sintered surface was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant (ɛr) of 25.13 and loss factor (tan δ) of 5.3 × 10−3 were obtained at 1 MHz.

Research highlights▶ In the present paper, we are reporting the synthesis of nanocrystalline SrHfO3 in a single step combustion technique. ▶ The method offers an easy, economical way to the synthesis of nanostructured ceramic compounds. ▶ The powders obtained after combustion shows superior phase homogeneity, sinterability etc.