Porous zirconium titanate ceramics synthesized by sol–gel process

Zirconium titanate, ZrTiO4, was synthesized by sol–gel method from zirconium butoxide and titanium isopropoxide. Amorphous ZrTiO4 powder was ground, calcined at 500 °C, and milled to homogenize size distribution of the powder. Milled powder was pressed into tablets and sintered at 900–1400 °C for 8 h. Differential scanning calorimetry and dilatometric studies indicated crystallization of ZrTiO4 at 600–700 °C. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed presence of crystallized ZrTiO4 already at 900 °C, and crystallite size was determined by Scherrer equation. Scanning electron microscopy showed that ZrTiO4 grains begin to sinter at higher temperatures, starting from 1200 °C, while preserving high porosity up to 1300 °C as confirmed by dilatometry and mercury intrusion porosimetry.