Synthesis of bismuth titanate by citrate method

A simple citrate gel route was adopted for the preparation of bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) powders. Stoichiometric quantities of BiCl3 and TiOCl2 were mixed with required amount of citric acid, and the mixture was heated on a water bath. This leads to formation of gel, which was decomposed at 673 K. Formation of bismuth titanate was observed on calcining powders at 973 K by X-ray diffraction studies. The average particle size is found to be 20 nm by microscopy. The room temperature dielectric constant is found to be 175 at 1 kHz. The hysteresis loop parameters were also obtained by home built Sawer-Tower circuit. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.