CHARACTERIZATION OF BARIUM TITANATE PREPARED VIA MIXED OXIDE SINTERING ROUTE

The phase and microstructure of barium titanate (BaTiO3) prepared via mixed oxide sintering route was investigated. TG / DTA of the as mix-milled powder, revealed a weight loss of ~ 17.558% in the temperature range 770 to 890ºC and the crystallization exotherm occuring at ~905.04ºC. XRD of the sample calcined at 900ºC for 2 h revealed the presence of BaTiO3 (JCPDS Card#50626) as the major phase along with a couple of low intensity peaks due to Ba2TiO4 (JCPDS Card#350813) and BaCO3 (JCPDSCard#41-373). XRD of the sample sintered at 1250ºC for 2 h confirmed the presence of BaTiO3 as the major phase, however; a couple of low intensity peaks probably due to Ba2TiO4 were still present. Secondary electron scanning electron microscope images of thermally etched samples revealed the presence of irregular shaped grains varying in size from ~2 to 10μm.