Preparation of nanocrystalline Sr3Al2O6 powders via citric acid precursor

Sr3Al2O6 was synthesized via citric acid precursor. The effects of the molar ratio of citric acid to total metal cations concentration (CA/M) on the formation of Sr3Al2O6 were investigated. Increasing the CA/M promoted the formation of Sr3Al2O6. Single-phase and well-crystallized Sr3Al2O6 was obtained from the CA/M = 1, CA/M = 2 and CA/M = 4 precursor at temperature 1200 °C, 1100 °C and 900 °C, respectively. Differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric (DTA/TG), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the precursors and the derived oxide powders. Sr3Al2O6 nanoparticles with a diameter of about 50–70 nm were obtained.