Preparation of BaZrO3 nanopowders by spray pyrolysis method

Barium zirconate based solid solutions of various compositions become ionic and/or electronic conductors and they are potential candidates for numerous types of applications in the field of electroceramics. This work investigated application of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method based on thermal decomposition of barium and zirconium nitrate solution for preparation of fine barium zirconate powders. The aerosols of nitrate solutions of 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 M were thermally treated at 800, 1000 and 1200 °C. The prepared powders were composed of the spherical particles which sizes, from 90 to 500 nm, were mainly depended on the concentration of nitrate solution and less depended on the pyrolysis temperature. The particles consisted of the crystallites of 25–60 nm in size. Their sizes strongly depended on the pyrolysis temperature and to the lesser extend on the solution concentration.