SrTi1−xZrxO3 uniform particles: Low-temperature synthesis, characterization and sintered properties

Perovskite-type SrTi1−xZrxO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.55) particles with spherical shape are prepared via a controlled precipitation process at 60–80 °C using TiCl4, ZrOCl2·8H2O and SrCl2·6H2O as starting materials. Samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and transmission electron microscopy. Sintering experiments at different temperatures (1300–1550 °C) reveal that the zirconium contents in the compounds have significant effects on their sintering properties, in which a Zr/Ti molar ratio of ca. 0.27/0.73 is best for achieving dense ceramic.