Preparation of nano-sized Mg0.6Al0.8Ti1.6O5 powders using the inorganic salts route

Stable magnesium aluminum titanate ceramics (Mg(0.6)A(10.8)Ti(1.6)O(5)) compound has been successfully synthesized with a straightforward non-hydrolytic sol gel process using an inorganic metal compound as cation source supplier at about 600 degrees C. The raw materials MgCl2 center dot 2H(2)O, AlCl3, TiCl4, and citric acid were dissolved in ethanol. Prepared gel was dried at 120 degrees C and calcined at various temperatures in an electric furnace. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) demonstrate that the direct crystallization of mono-phase magnesium aluminum titanate from fluffy precursor at a temperature below aluminum titanate decomposition temperature range is feasible. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis show the nano-metric size of particles. The particle size and specific surface area of the powders varied from 16.5 to 27.6 mu and from 98.2 to 58.7 m(2) g(-1) according to calcination temperatures (600 and 700 degrees C), respectively. The nano-particles had a strong tendency to agglomerate and were partially sintered at 1100 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.