Determining the Optimal Conditions for Calcium Titanate Nanostructures Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying Method

In this research, calcium titanate nano-particles were synthesized via mechanical alloying. To synthesize this compound, a mixture of calcium hydroxide and titanium dioxide, rotation speed of 250 rpm and differnet ball to powder weight ratio (10:1, 20:1, 30:1 and 50:1) were used. Phase investigation, morphology and structure of calcium titanate powder obtained were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy respectively. The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of single-phase calcium titanate nanoparticles with cubic crystal structure. The agglomeration of powder has been shown in scanning electron microscope images. According to the results, the minimum of ball to powder weight ratio to synthesize this compound was 50:1 and milling time of 60 hs. The results of Zeta-sizer showed that the major part of the particle size distribution was in the range between 60 to 80 nm and this confirms the results of Williamson-Hall equation and scanning electron microscope images. Also, by using of Nelson-Riely and Cohen equations for calculating the lattice parameter, it was found that increasing milling time to 60 hs, leads to lattice parameter values to be closed to ideal values of calcium titanate phase.